Daniel Martinez was the best of the rest at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. He is the only one to finish less than 10 minutes behind Tadej Pogacar (9:56) and, thanks to this second place in the general classification, he achieves a career-best Grand Tour finish.
"Yes, actually today, maybe the biggest project that I have in life was watching me here, they came to see me. So well, today I was coming in inspired and I was coming in thinking all day about my kids so well, hopefully someday they'll see it years later and remember," reflected Martinez with pride post-stage. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, really. I have worked very hard for this. Let's say that sometimes things have turned out well, sometimes not as we wanted, but well, that's what life is all about, to continue, to persist. And well, today thanks to God let's say that here we gave a good performance."
When asked if this is a firm sign of his growing capabilities in three-week stage races, Martinez remains cautious. "Well, I couldn't tell you that. It's very difficult because, let's say well, it went well in this Giro d'Italia. Three-week men are the ones, like Nairo or them, who are always in the top 10," he assesses. "Let's say that, well, I'm going step by step, I'm going my own way, at my own pace, and well, and whatever God wants."
He also talked about his most difficult moment in this Giro: "There were many. Well, let's say that when I started the Giro, I wasn't in very good health, let's say I started with a small problem. Then, well, a fall, well, almost a fall, a blow to the shoulder that I had, let's say it was bothering me a lot. And then the other day I was practically alone and, well, that's where we were able to get there".
Finally, he wanted to thank the support of all the Colombian people throughout the race: "Yes, really a greeting to all the people, to all my people there in Soacha, Cundinamarca, in Vergara, Cundinamarca, to the people of the county of Cundinamarca who supported me to train here, to train for the Giro d'Italia, the people of Cundinamarca. And well, thanks to all the people of Colombia who gave us strength during this week. All the prayers and all the nice wishes that they sent me, they were felt here and well, thank you very much."
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