“I knew after only ten kilometers that it would be almost impossible if not impossible to go for the win. With my experience, I knew it was useless to ride flat out all day because in this situation it’s the peloton who decides, so I’ve told my last breakaway companion who is a young rider: ‘let’s go on a steady pace and speed with 10km to go’. In such a finale particularly, it was difficult to make it till the end. I’ve learnt in the past years, when I was with Androni, that we always have to try. It’s been a great experience today that ends with the combativity price. It would be nice to go for the polka dot jersey but great legs and luck are needed. My main goal remains to win a stage.”
