"I was asked to not kill myself today" - Max Schachmann 5th in Giro d'Italia time-trial despite riding within himself

Continuing his impressive return to form at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, BORA - hansgrohe's Max Schachmann finished 5th on the stage 7 individual time-trial, just 1:05 down on stage winner Tadej Pogacar.

"I had no split times on the radio. I did a good tempo, one that won't kill me for the next days but it was hard, and good!" Schachmann reflects post-stage in conversation with Cycling Pro Net, having been second fastest time when he crossed the line, 39 seconds down on Filippo Ganna. "Losing a second per kilometre is not that bad against that beast," he laughs.

With the key point of the time-trial coming at the back end with a climb towards the line, Schachmann, like many others, made sure to pace himself on the flat beforehand. "I was asked to not kill myself today so I was riding a good, steady pace on the flat, just below pain level," he explains. "On the climb I went a steady, good pace. I think it's important to find a balance between not losing time on the steep part but having enough power left to make it over the hills because it's not a steady climb."

The BORA - hansgrohe man must have relayed this information to his team leader, Daniel Martinez as the Colombian also impressed against the clock, taking time on his podium rivals and moving up to second overall in the general classification.