“That day still gives me goosebumps” - Thomas Gloag recalls perfect ending to first Grand Tour at the Giro d'Italia

For 21-year-old Thomas Gloag, the 2023 Giro d'Italia was a whirlwind of a race. From finding out he was making his Grand Tour debut the night before the start to a thrilling finale that saw his team leader Primoz Roglic take the Maglia Rosa, Gloag admits he still can't really believe it happened.

“I can hardly say that I had the perfect preparation. I just let my mind go blank. That didn’t bother me at all. I didn’t need to consider it for even a second. I packed my bags and went to Italy to join my teammates," he recalls to Jumbo-Visma's official website. “The essence of cycling is the same in every race. But you cannot compare a grand tour with smaller stage races. The race’s surroundings are ten times larger than usual. I got goosebumps and realised I would start a grand tour the moment I stood on the podium at the first time trial.”

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Primoz Roglic and Jumbo-Visma were expected to be in the mix for pink, but a number of last-minute changes to the team, including Gloag's entrance casted doubt for some. Nevertheless, the admittedly second-string Jumbo-Visma team achieved their goal and added another Grand Tour win to their growing collection.

“That day still gives me goosebumps. It was so extraordinary," Gloag recalls of the decisive stage 20 time-trial. "The crowd of Slovenian cycling fans gave me so much extra power. I enjoyed every inch of it. The climb was tough, but I felt no pain because of the enthusiastic supporters. And then the unprecedented climax with Primoz. Undoubtedly, it was the best day of my cycling career so far. Wonderful!”

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“In a team as strong as Team Jumbo-Visma, it is far from certain that you will be part of a team that starts a grand tour. However, the Giro experience has inspired me to put in even more effort to experience this again in the future,” Gloag concludes.

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