"I was thinking actually that Giulio Pellizzari would win today's stage" - Tadej Pogacar rides to almost accidental 5th Giro stage win
Cycling
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).
"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.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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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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