Pinot: “I didn’t want Cepeda to win, I wanted Rubio to win”

Stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia left, In addition to the historic triumph of Einer Rubio, the battle between the escapees in the final stretch of the route. ANDhe Colombian Thibaut Pinot and Jefferson Cepeda battled for victory on the climb to Crans Montana. The three were at the head of the race and with a wide advantage over the peloton, defined the winner.

During this last ascent of the day, 13 kilometers long, there were unsuccessful attacks by Pinot and Cepeda. Rubio, on the other hand, saved his energy, stayed on the wheel and interpreted the movements of his rivals and the moment to look for the triumph. He attacked in the final meters and crossed the finish line alone.

At the end of the stage, Pinot expressed his annoyance with Cepeda for not leading the break on the climb. The Frenchman was -almost always- leading the escapees and at various times asked the Ecuadorian to take over, however, that replacement never came.

“I only asked (Cepeda) to take over. I don’t understand how you can expect to win like that. that’s not my opinion. Maybe he was instructed by the team leader’s car, but if his excuse is that Hugh Carthy (his partner from EF Education-EasyPost) was behind him, I can’t understand it”, expressed the Groupama runner in an interview with Eurosport.

For this reason, Pinot preferred Rubio to take the stage. This was recognized by the Frenchman, who asked his companions on the run to thank him for the work he had to do alone: “I hope they at least thank me for driving.”

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“I especially didn’t want Cepeda to win, I wanted Rubio to win. I would have given anything not to let Cepeda leave”, said the Frenchman, who finished second, 6” behind the Colombian.

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The Giro d’Italia will continue this Saturday with the dispute of stage 14. It will be 193 kilometers with a first-class climb at the start, but a flat route in the second half that anticipates the definition of the sprint. Fernando Gaviria will have a new chance of victory.

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