Tadej Pogacar explains why he helped the sprinters in Napoli, "but it wasn't enough for the win"

Tadej Pogacar looked to save himself up the summit finish to Prati di Tivo, so it definitely came as a surprise to see him work in the finale of a bunch sprint today in Napoli. It was an attempt to repay the team it's work and launch Juan Sebastián Molano to victory, but the plan didn't quite work out.

“It was a very tough final today. Molano did really well in the final and managed to stay at the front. I tried to help him in the sprint, but it wasn't enough for the win," Pogacar said following the stage. "If I can help – especially in a hectic final with such bad roads – I'm happy to do so. It's always nice to help a friend win.”

Pogacar feels safe in the race lead and so burnt through a few matches to try and help his teammate. As Jhonatan Narváez (who beat him in the first day of the race) attacked in the final hilltop, the sprinters were at risk of not fighting for the stage win in the finale. It took a lot of effort from several riders of different teams in the final kilometers to close it down, including the pink jersey himself.

However, despite a strong sprint, the Colombian sprinter only finished third on the day where Olav Kooij was the strongest of all. Pogacar ends the first week in the lead of the race. “It is indeed a very nice lead. I'm also really looking forward to that rest day. Just relax and don't think about the race for a while. I'm really ready for that.”

He tells the expected plan for Monday's calmer day: “We will certainly cycle a bit and enjoy the surroundings. In recent days we have also visited beautiful roads and seen great places. It is nice to spend the rest day in Naples. Let's hope the pizzas and cappuccino taste good."