On Georg Steinhauser’s day, Tadej Pogacar deals another huge blow to all his rivals. The Slovenian champion almost jokes with his opponents for the general classification in the seventeenth stage of the Giro d’Italia 2024, unleashing an attack three kilometers from the finish line. It was impossible to pick up the German from EF Education – EasyPost, but Pogacar set off anyway and decided to fly alone towards the final finish line in second position.
His opponents don’t even follow him, because there’s really no chance of keeping up with the pace of the UAE Team Emirates rider. Pogacar didn’t even force himself that much, a bit like what had already happened yesterday, when he had pulled away from all his opponents without making any effort.
These are Pogacar’s first words: “A nice stage, we only got a little cold on the last descent. Ineos set the pace and then Martinez decided to attack, so I raised my pace. I made a little effort because some were struggling. I had nice legs and I liked going up at my own pace.”
A Giro now in the hands of the Slovenianwhich has already set another objective: “I’m satisfied with what I’ve done so far. Everything that comes will be just a bonus. I don’t have to do stupid things and think about keeping the pink jersey until Rome. There is still the stage with Monte Grappa near Slovenia and so we’ll see”.
About his condition and on the sensation of having absolutely no effort: “I’m tired 10, from one to ten. Everyone is like that in the last week of a big tour.” The Slovenian champion also comments the beauties of Italy: “The passages are beautiful, these mountains are crazy. The weather should be just a little better, but there really is some fantastic scenery.”
