Punctual like a Eurostar, because one occasion may fail but not two. And so, 366 days later, but still on May 7, Jonathan Milan he put his second signature on a sprint at the Giro d’Italia. A year ago in San Salvo the Friulian phenomenon of Buja was unblocked. And it was repeated now in Andora in a stage that at the end seemed like a preview of the Olympics.
Because Milan on the Paris track will be in the Italian quartet of the Team Pursuit to defend the Olympic title won three years ago. And with him also Filippo Ganna, who sprinted away on Capo Mele when there were only 4 km left to the finish line and managed to clear the way. But There were too many people behind who went hunting and so he left room for his worthy heir, even if they have different characteristics. Milan won with power, venting all its joy after the awards ceremony: «There are so many emotions, we came here to win at least one stage and the team was fantastic. Winning again at the Giro a year later was a special feeling and it is thanks to my teammates who always believed in me and carried me to the last metres.” Yet he feared the mockery: «When we saw Ganna leave we immediately understood the danger, somehow helped us keep the pace up. Consonni did an exceptional job piloting me up to 300 meters and then it was my turn.”
And today in the fifth stage with arrival under the Walls of Lucca, the land of Mario Cipollini, the Italian who most resembles the Lion King today will be able to do an encore. However, Biniam Girmay will not be there: the Eritrean sprinter from Intermarché Wanty was involved in two falls in the space of a few km and retired.
STAGE RANKING:
1. Jonathan Milan (Ita) km 190 in 4h16’03, 2. Kaden Groves (Aus) st, 3. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) st, 4. Olav Kooij (Ola) st, 5. Tim Merlier (Bel) st, 6. Davide Ballerini (Ita) st, 7. Fernando Gaviria (Col) st, 8. Enrico Zanoncello (Ita) st, 9. Madis Mihkels (East) st.
GENERAL RANKING:
1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) in 15h19’05”, 2. Geraint Thomas (Gbr) at 46”, 3. Daniel Martinez (Fra) at 47”, 4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) at 55”, 5. Einer Rubio (Col) at 56”, 6. Lorenzo Fortunato (Ita) at 1’07”, 7. Juanpe Lopez (Spa) at 1’11”, 8. Jan Hirt (Cec) at 1’13”, 9. Esteban Chaves (Col) at 1’26”, 10. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) st.
