The UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager reflects on Jonas Vingegaard's ascent of Blockhaus with a mix of admiration and frustration. The team's interest in the Danish rider's performance is understandable, given his rivalry with Tadej Pogačar and the absence of the latter from the Giro d'Italia. The manager highlights the strategic approach of Visma-Lease a Bike, with Vingegaard finishing the climb faultlessly and taking out 20 seconds on rival Giulio Pellizzari. This performance raises questions about the team's strategy and the potential implications for the overall race.
The manager's admiration for Vingegaard's performance is evident, particularly his intelligent racing style and perfect energy usage. However, they remain cautious about declaring him the winner of the Giro, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus throughout the race. The absence of star names due to a mass crash on stage 2 is also noted, with the team's attention divided between those still in the race and those who had to abandon.
The manager expresses concern for Jay Vine, who has endured a series of unfortunate crashes and injuries, affecting his mental and physical well-being. They also highlight the anger of Adam Yates, who believes he could have been in the GC fight on the Blockhaus. The team's positive news includes Marc Soler's progress in his recovery from a pelvis fracture, and their success in winning multiple stages with Jhonatan Narvaéz and Igor Arrieta.
The manager concludes by acknowledging the team's achievements while also emphasizing the importance of support for those who have had to abandon the race. The question of who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Giro d'Italia remains open, with the team's strategy and the performance of their riders under scrutiny.
