"Tim and Jonathan were simply too strong" - Kaden Groves bows down before Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier

The penultimate sprint in the Giro d'Italia was a success for Tim Merlier, who managed to keep outsprint the once again very powerful Jonathan Milan who seemingly launched his sprint from another city... For Kaden Groves, the two seem too tough of a match in this Giro, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider admits after another podium result.

Second, seventh, second and third. Those are Groves' sprint results so far. "Once again the team did a fantastic job," the Australian told Cycling Pro Net about his sprint in Padova. "I wanted to start well from the beginning and in the end I succeeded," he opens his analysis with apparently satisfied words.

"Tim and Jonathan were simply too strong," Groves continued honestly. "Maybe I started it a little too early. After all, the headwind was still quite strong. Boys like Tim and Jonathan are so bizarrely fast. Then I shouldn't look for excuses anymore."

Groves has not yet managed to win in Italy. On the final day in Rome, one last chance presents itself. When the man from Oceania is then asked what has been wrong with him in recent weeks, he is clear. "I'm not a pure sprinter. I benefit more from a hilly sprint or a stage with more elevation gain. In those stages it just didn't work out, but I think I can be satisfied with my sprints."