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Surprise pink jersey for Juan Pedro López: "I didn’t believe in the moment when someone told me I had the pink jersey"
CyclingTuesday, 10 May 2022 at 21:00
Juan Pedro López was not the main card for Trek - Segafredo at this Giro d'Italia, but he quickly became the team's most important weapon in the fourth day of the race, as he took advantage of his freedom to jump onto the lead of the race, bringing the team into the spotlight.
"I am so happy to take the jersey, I didn’t believe in the moment when someone told me I had the pink jersey. After 10mins, I finally realized it. I will enjoy it today, tomorrow, I don’t know how many days I will have it, but I will enjoy every moment," López said in a post-race interview. The Spaniard got himself in the day's breakaway, but he would've likely never dreamed he would be in pink before the start of the stage.
He had shown great form last month, and brought it to the Giro where his climbing prowess saw him powering up the slopes of the Etna, leading the stage for large kilometers in front. Caught by Lennard Kämna, he was unable to take the stage win, however he's gotten something perhaps more important as he will lead the Giro d'Italia for - at least - a few days, if he avoids any mishaps.
"It was the plan to be in a breakaway if a large group went, so, mission accomplished. My director told me to try and go in the hardest part [of the climb], so I did. It was the best moment to make the difference, and when I went, I felt strong. You never know what happens, so I tried," he added.
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"Kamna caught me in the last 2-3k, and we worked together until the sprint. But I nearly crashed and… nothing. I wanted to win, but it was so difficult. Then I found out I have the jersey, and now I am so happy," he concluded. He leads Kämna by 39 seconds in the overall classification, and has 1:42 minutes over Simon Yates who is the first real GC contender.
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