"I was thinking actually that Giulio Pellizzari would win today's stage" - Tadej Pogacar rides to almost accidental 5th Giro stage win

Not even mother nature can stop Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. On a cold, wet and dramatic day at the Giro, the UAE Team Emirates leader took his 5th stage win on the reduced and rain-affected stage 16 summit finish.

Prior to the stage getting underway, the riders in the peloton and the viewers at home were left in a stage of confusion as the horrific weather saw an argument between the riders' union, the CPA and the race organisers, RCS, about the plans for the stage. Finally an agreement was reached and the early climbs were removed from the parcour, with the peloton only tackling the final 120km, headlined by a 30km climb towards the finish line at Santa Cristina Valgardena (Monte Pana).

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"The day started really on and off and we didn't know what to do, but when we started racing it was fine," reflected the dominant Maglia Rosa in his post-stage interview, admitting he and UAE Team Emirates initially planned to take the day as easy as possible and let the breakaway riders battle it out for the stage win.

"It was a good breakaway for us and we sat back and tried to relax, but Movistar Team kept on pushing to keep the breakaway close," continues Pogacar. On the final climb, with the remainder of the breakaway almost within touching distance, Rafal Majka ominously took to the front of the bunch with Pogacar on his wheel. When the attack was finally launched by the Slovenian, it was with consummate ease that he worked his way through the breakaway and up to the head of the race, leaving all his supposed rivals in the dust despite not really breaking a sweat.

"They (Movistar Team ed.) went really fast on the second to last climb and then the final 2km we tried to control and then Rafał had had enough," Pogacar concludes. "I was thinking actually that Giulio Pellizzari would win today's stage but he was close and I am super happy that he arrives second also."

Post-stage, Pogacar showed a touch of class when the 20-year-old Italian of VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè came over to congratulate the stage winner by gifting Pellizzari his pink shades and the Maglia Rosa he'd worn on the day.

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VIDEO: Tadej Pogacar shows class by gifting Giulio Pellizzari stage 16 winning Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia

Mihai Simion

@faustocoppi60

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POGACAR ATTACKS! The crazy guy in short sleeves wants to get warm, can't blame him. #GirodItalia

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