The long-awaited 2024 Giro d'Italia came to an end yesterday in the streets of Rome. Tudor Pro Cycling walks away from their first Grand Tour with a Top-10 in the General Classification, ten Top-10 stage finishes, and above all with a lot of experience gained over the three weeks of racing.
After great consistency throughout the race, Australian climber Michael Storer sealed his Top-10 in the general classification in the penultimate stage. “I am super happy about this top 10. It shows that I can mix up with the best guys for three weeks. If I keep improving, maybe I can maybe turn this top 10 into a podium one day.” Even the scare following a little crash in the streets of Rome didn't spoil his joy after crossing the finish line next to the Coliseum.
Sport Director Matteo Tosatto is also happy with the outcome of the team’s first Grand Tour: “We came here to win a stage. We didn’t but we built a great group, and we go home knowing that we always gave our best. We lost two important riders for our leadout train and couldn’t get a sprint victory, but for the mountain stages our goal switched as the race went, seeing how Michael rode with the best GC contenders.” Leading the Tudor troops was a different experience for Tosatto: “After years fighting for the GC podium, I lived this Giro with the same emotions. I’m very happy about the team’s results, I liked the atmosphere and I am very proud of the way we approached the race.”
Team Manager Raphael Meyer shares Toso’s opinion: “We rode well, at the front, took on responsibility, with the mentality of a WorldTour Team. A GC Top-10 in a first Grand Tour is a huge achievement. Of course, there is slight disappointment with the fact that we didn’t win a stage, but we must put things into perspective. We have been in the Pro Peloton for less than a year and a half.”
Over and above the sporting results, Meyer is proud that the team was capable of going through a first Grand Tour after such a short history . “I am super happy with the way we went through these three weeks as a group. We lost two riders on the way, but we had no misunderstandings nor fights. We learned a lot about each other,“ explains Raphi before adding “This Giro was a milestone. It shows that we are capable and that the sky is the limit for this team.”
Standing on the finish line with a big smile across his face, Team Owner Fabian Cancellara enjoyed a Giro finish for the first time: “I never experienced the last day of Giro as a rider, so I am very proud that I could now in a different role. The experience we gathered on the way is our biggest victory and I am convinced it will help lift the team to another level.”
The future looks bright, and we are already looking forward to our next Grand Tour. But it is now time for a short recovery before the season kicks off again with ZLM Tour in the Netherlands and Tour de Suisse, another special race for Tudor Pro Cycling.
Photos: 360dsm