"Pogacar really flew by like a rocket" - Near-miss for Max Schachmann at the Giro, but German puncheur rides into surprising second place

Max Schachmann showed his very best legs once again last month at the Itzulia Basque Country; and although he was nowhere to be seen in the Ardennes, he was once again at the front in the first day of the Giro d'Italia but has mixed reactions over a strong second place on the road.

“The final started on the first passage of the climb, where it went so incredibly fast. At the time I thought that I would not survive on the longer climb, but I saw that everyone was already on the limit," Schachmann said in words to Eurosport. “I actually expected a higher pace on the long climb but that didn't happen. I didn't feel great, but I felt pretty good.” Hence, the German made it through, and was shortly after part of a large group that attacked off the front of the peloton in the flat section before the final hilltop.

“After the climb I saw that only Rafal [Majka] was still in the lead ahead of Tadej Pogacar. Then I thought: maybe I should just go for it." That ended up being a good decision, as the group entered the ascent still with a lead over the peloton, and Pogacar's main acceleration was made only to catch up with them. "Pogacar really flew by like a rocket on the climb to San Vito. I was happy that I could still join the climb.” Schachmann couldn't follow Pogacar and Narváez, but linked up with the duo on the descent - he was the only rider to do so.

In the final sprint he knew he was the least likely to win and so launched his acceleration first, but he couldn't surprise his rivals. “...I know that Pogacar is very fast and Narváez is also fast. He is explosive and then you know it is difficult. I don't like a short sprint and started with 200 meters to go. However, I soon realized that it was better to sprint from the wheel," he said. A second place at the finish line and second in GC was his reward, "but I am especially happy that I am back at the front again" he concluded.