TOUR OF ITALY | 05/25/2024 | 6.17pm
by Federico Guido
Giro headquarters in Bassano, in front of the UAE Emirates bus there is the crowd of special occasions and obviously a festive atmosphere. Joxean Matxinhead of the technical area of the UAE team, agrees to answer questions from tuttobiciweb and confesses: «In this Giro d’Italia we achieved more than we expected. We knew we could win because we have the best rider in the world, but we are proud of how our teammates worked throughout the Giro. A huge satisfaction because everyone feels part of the victory, just look at how much Molano and Oliveira worked today, who will also try to make the sprint in Rome tomorrow. Well done Bjerg, Laengen, Grossschartner, Novak, Majka: all splendid. They gave a lesson on how to work, they did a master’s degree.”
Has Pogacar surprised you in any way in this Giro?
«No, because we know him well. Tadej is not a champion, he is a leader. The champion thinks about winning, the leader always worries about his teammates and staff. And then he’s a great guy, he always asks please, he always says thank you, it is perfection made cyclist».
How much did Tadej spend in this Giro?
«He undoubtedly spent, but we knew it and we had imported the season precisely with this in mind. Ten days of racing before the Giro, add these 21 and you will arrive at 31, more or less what his opponents have planned to have. Now a week of rest awaits him, then we will go to Isola 2000 to work at altitude until the Sunday before the start of the Tour.”
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