"I was in seven breakaways at the Giro, six of those made it to the finish line" - Derek Gee admits frustrations at failing to take stage win on Grand Tour debut

Derek Gee was one of the stars of the race at this year's Giro d'Italia. The Canadian, in his Grand Tour debut, lit up the race, finishing second on four different stages. Sadly though, he couldn't quite claim that illusive victory.

"The Giro was actually a little intimidating. I was looking at the stage profiles and the riders lining up next to me. They were all 5ft2 (around 1m60) and weighing 50 kg," the Israel - Premier Tech star revealed in conversation with Domestique. "I knew they would do some damage. Definitely compared to my numbers: 6ft2 (around 1m88) and 76 kg!"

Not only were there four, second placed finishes on stages, Gee also finished runner-up in both the points classification and the King of the Mountains. With so many close calls, it would be understandable is if there was some sense of frustration for Gee. "At the time I felt like I was in the fight again time after time and that feeling was sweet. When I look back on it now though I am looking at where I could have made that final cutting edge on all those stages. Especially when it comes to the second and third time I finished second. I look at what I could have done differently in those stages to make up those small differences."

"It is frustrating as well considering I was in seven breakaways at the Giro, six of those made it to the finish line. I know how rare that is not from a what I did perspective but from how the race was ridden as a whole perspective," Gee concludes. "I realise the next Grand Tour that I compete in maybe only four of the breakaways will actually make it to the line and it's possible I won't be in any of them."