RIMINI – The war of nerves has already begun, we had already noticed it in the pre-match press conferences. After the first stage, it is clear that Pogacar and Vingegaard are playing it subtle, launching seemingly random messages which however already ignite the challenge with a pinch of extra spice.
The Bologna stage seems designed to make the race explode and something will certainly happen, hoping that the public knows how to stay in their place, as unfortunately didn’t happen yesterday at the start.
The Assault of Florence
Despite those who claim that there was little of it in Florence, At the start from the Cascine Park, people thought it a good idea to open the barriers and access the bus area directlyleaving no room for the teams, the riders and those who had the claim to work at the start of the first stage of the Tour. And so it happened that Jan Hirt, a rider from Soudal-Quick Step, fell to the ground and broke three teeth. It seems that he was hooked with the backpack of a fan who shouldn’t have been there.
Hirt ran the first stage with a swollen lip and this was rightly underlined by Patrick Lefevere: «There are 100 rules for the team – he wrote on X – but someone with a backpack made Jan Hirt fall between the signatures and the ‘bus”.
«It was complete chaos – declared comrade Lampaert on Belgian television – the organization had no control. People were walking everywhere. Jan continued to wobble and fell. As runners we constantly receive fines for small things, the organization should look in the mirror. It is unacceptable.”
The war of nerves
For the rest, on the road to Rimini A day of hell was expected from UAE Team Emiratesmore than ever intent on taking advantage of the expected delay in Vingegaard’s condition. The chronicle says that the team forced the pace on Barbotto, but then did not want to or could not strike the blow. Did Vingegaard suffer from the forcing?
«I’m very happy with how the day went – said the outgoing Tour winner – but of course we’re a little disappointed not to have caught the two escapees. Van Aert was very strong and won the sprint for third place, which could have been a victory. We both felt good, so we can be happy with the performance. I am happy with my feelings, I can look forward to the next three weeks with optimism. I have the legs to fight for the general classification, but fighting for the victory is another thing.
«The Bologna stage will be harder and more explosive – Vingegaard reasoned – with a short climb to be done twice (the San Luca: 1.9 km at 10.6 of gradient) and fewer climbs in total. It will be different. I gained a lot of confidence in the first stage. We’ll see how I feel, I’ll do my best and then we’ll see.”
Everyone waiting for San Luca
Pogacar is also aware that Today in Bologna it will be a different going, if only because the San Luca double could remain in the legs to those who had already reached the finish line yesterday with little energy. How did it really go between Pogacar and the great heat of the first stage, which reached 37 degrees?
“It went really well,” Pogacar said. the pace was good and despite the heat I felt great. For me this is a real plus. In the sprint I saw an opening, so I threw myself in the middle and came in fourth place. I almost beat two of the fastest men in the group with Van Aert and Pedersen, but I didn’t make it.
“But On the climb to San Luca there will be more open tactics and we will witness a bigger battle. The differences are already increasing. I was able to test my legs on the climbs and I was in good shape despite the heat…”
