Giro d'Italia: "The Final Week Will Be Brutal!"

The Giro d'Italia is entering the final and decisive week of racing. The "Corsa-Rosa" is heading to the Alps, which means serious GC action and a lot of climbing. Week two started with a TT from Lucca to Pisa, covered hilly terrain while travelling north, and finally arrived in Asiago, Veneto. A town, especially Florian Stork, will keep in good memory as, putting in a strong breakaway effort, he scored his first Grand Tour podium finish on stage 15. 

Together with our riders Michael Storer, Florian Stork, Rick Pluimers, Yannis Voisard, Marco Brenner, Maikel Zijlaard and our DS Matteo Tosatto, we're reflecting on the second week of this Giro d'Italia and looking ahead to the final six stages on our way to Rome.

© Cyclingimages | Russ Ellis

Michael Storer, currently 12th in the GC, on some bad luck in Slovenia and his expectations for the final week: “It was a bit unfortunate to lose time on stage 14 when we got stuck behind the crash. But the team did a great job limiting the damage. Yesterday was a good day for us; it was nice to see Florian score a podium finish. The final week will be brutal; I think we’ll see big time gaps opening up and the race being blown to pieces.“ 

Florian Stork, 2nd place finisher on stage 15, explains why scoring a result on the stage before a rest day is even more enjoyable:

"The podium result yesterday came just in the right moment: with a rest day today, I have time to realise and enjoy this result. Even though I've hit the deck not only once in this Giro and also lost some skin on the Italian roads, I'm enjoying this race. We have a good atmosphere within the team; with Michael Storer, we're still in contention for a nice result in the GC, and I'm looking forward to the mountain stages we're taking on from tomorrow." 

Grand Tour rookie Rick Pluimers enters new territories: “Two weeks into this Giro, I’m entering new territories regarding race length, as it’s my first Grand Tour. My legs are still turning well, and I can fulfil my daily tasks. So far, it has been a beautiful experience to race this Giro, but it is also very intense and hard. In the last week, it’s all about climbing, GC action and one more chance for the sprinters in Rome.“ 

Swiss climber Yannis Voisard is looking forward to the big days in the Alps: “It’s my first Grand Tour, and I was curious to see how I’m dealing with the fatigue. Right now, I have to say I’m feeling much better than expected, and I guess that’s a good sign for the last week. It’s a steep learning curve for me here, and I also appreciate this experience. Preparing for this race, we tried to put the focus and also the peak of my shape towards the last week - I’m looking forward to the big days of climbing and to support Michael Storer in the battle for the GC positions.“ 

Current German Champion Marco Brenner shares his personal highlight of the Giro's second week:

“I think the second week was harder than expected, with intense race action on every stage. I gained some valuable experience in the sprint train for Maikel Zijlaard. I’ve also had two breakaway attempts and hope to get another chance in this Giro. My personal highlight was yesterday. Crossing the finish line and realising that Florian finished in 2nd was awesome - more than well deserved! I hope I can have a good recovery today, and then it’s all in for the final week.“

For Maikel Zijlaard it's all about making it through the Alps and the chance of another podium finish in Rome:

“I’m feeling tired after the second week, but I’m not the only rider who feels like that today. I tried to make the time cut on the hilly days and focus on the sprint stages. Generally, we’re still in a good position on the GC with Michael Storer, and it’s the decisive week coming up now, so I’ll try to support where I can and hope to survive the big mountains. From my perspective, I’m then focusing on the last stage in Rome, where the sprinters should get one final shot.“ 

Tudor Pro Cycling Sports Director Matteo Tosatto concludes: “Two long weeks done, and it’s good to have this rest day today. With the upcoming stages, I think this is a crucial rest day. For us, it has been very solid in terms of GC, where Michael is still in a promising position to achieve a top 10 in this Giro d’Italia. Yesterday, we saw the first real mountain stage. With Florian, very well deserved, on the podium and Michael and Yannis in full contention with the GC group, I think we’ve shown that our riders are strong and ready to tackle a very hard and mountainous week in the Alps.“