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

Monday, 13 May 2024 at 09:34

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.”

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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.”

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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."

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6 Comments

StardustDragon 12 May 2024 at 21:15+ 1653

Will he gets Tiramisu after Giro? Who does not love Tiramisu?

Mistermaumau 12 May 2024 at 21:15+ 3540

Nice of him to work for the team for once.

Don’t worry Pog, you can’t get bad Pizza in Naples, anyone selling that would have been sent to prison a long time ago. And be careful with the Cappuccinos, only before 11am or you’ll risk losing local fans.

Senna1960 12 May 2024 at 20:44+ 304

They are not in prison yet but in 2019 I went to "Il Pomodorino" and it was terrible. I was told later that it has a bad name. Still in service today and not in prison. Bit of a stupid post.

Mistermaumau 14 May 2024 at 24:22+ 3540

Thanks for the tip and you obviously didn’t understand the insider joke. Italians abroad will try to scare foreigners into thinking you can go to prison for cutting or breaking pasta. There are many senses of humour, fgs please pick one, I’ll understand it.

leedorney 13 May 2024 at 15:18+ 641

I once broke pasta when staying in Italy - my apartmento Italian cohort nearly had a heart attack lol

Mistermaumau 14 May 2024 at 24:22+ 3540

Good you didn’t turn it in a spoon, he would also have fainted, the Italians may be very good with chaos but they can’t deal with any form of stress ;-)

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

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