It is often said that whoever is not consoled is because they do not want to. AND Geraint Thomas has reason to be pleased, surely, for going up to a drawer of the Giro d’Italia that he did not have at 37 years of age, but it tastes bitter because of how close the final victory has been. Fourteen seconds are to blame, the fourth shortest gap in the history of the race. A gap, although minimal, that comforts the Welshman: “It is better to lose by this much than by a second or two. At least Primoz tore me apart. To be honest, Primoz deserves it. The mechanic, too. hats off for him”.
Between Roglic and Thomas there is a curious circumstance. And it is that the Slovenian will be champion as the rider who will wear the pink jersey for the fewest days, snatching the title at the last moment from the cyclist who has worn it the most days in this edition (8). “If you had told me (to be second) in February-March, I would have bitten your hand. But now I’m devastated. Even so, I am proud and it has been a very emotional three weeks ”, concluded his reflections Thomas.
For his part, who will close the podium this Sunday in Rome will be a joao almeida (24 years old) who can draw very positive conclusions from his participation. Del Giro leaves with a big booty in the form of a stage victory, the white jersey (best young man), with the first podium in a grand tour and being the first Portuguese to get on the drawer in the history of the race: “I felt good, especially at the end. I was happy with my effort and with the result. The other two boys were stronger and Primoz deserved to win the race, so congratulations. As a cyclist, I keep getting a little better every year, so I am very satisfied with my Giro and with the way things are going for me.” Joy goes through neighborhoods.