"We let Pog go" - No chance of fighting for Giro victory for Geraint Thomas, who maintains second place intact in Livigno
Cycling
Geraint Thomas and INEOS Grenadiers tried to surprise in this second week of the Giro d'Italia but the outcome was not the best. The Welshman remains in second place of the overall classification following the queen stage, a strong result, but there was simply no chance of coming close to Tadej Pogacar as the race leader stamped his authority in Livigno.
“We knew the attack would come. UAE had been riding hard all day to go for the stage. Cheers to them. They completely emptied themselves for one man," Thomas said in a post-race interview. Simple and direct words from Thomas regarding the only rider who is ahead of him in the overall classification. However, realistically, the INEOS rider was never in a position to put Pogacar under pressure.
Despite having several stage wins and a comfortable lead under their belt, UAE Team Emirates still decided to work hard today simply for the purpose of winning the stage - and as a bonus, put even more time into their rivals. They did so well organized and with power from Pogacar who attacked his rivals on the Passo del Foscagno and rolled away to the finish line, taking 2.50 minutes on Thomas.
Thomas' battle was a different one. “To be honest, I didn't feel 100 percent. I had no confidence because I didn't feel great all day. So when the attack came, I thought: I'll use the other guys, I'll follow them. After that it became a cat and mouse game between us." With the support of Thymen Arensman, but also due to the work of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Bahrain - Victorious, big gaps did not open on the final climbs, and Thomas managed to benefit from this situation to keep his second place on the GC.
"We let Pog go. Then I got through something. At the end I felt okay. It was nice to finish together with Dani and take time on the rest," he concluded. He finished alongside Martínez and keeps his 15-second gap over the Colombian. However, he still took a few seconds on Ben O'Connor but specially Antonio Tiberi who struggled on the final climb.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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It's sixth on the line for @GeraintThomas86, who solidifies his podium position. After a huge amount of work in the closing kilometres, @ThymenArensman comes home ninth at the #GirodItalia.
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