Ex-speed skater outdoes everyone at the Giro

The former speed skater from the Netherlands (Team Visma) won after 4:44:22 hours ahead of the Italian Jonathan Milan (Lidl) and the Colombian Juan Sebastian Molano from the UAE team. The latter also had help from overall leader Tadej Pogacar at the finish, a kind of thanks for one of his helpers on the way to the hoped-for Giro victory.

“It was a tough final, but the team supported me very well. We knew we had to improvise and see how the race went. I was waiting for this, I dreamed of this victory,” said Kooij, for whom it was his 32nd professional victory, but his first on a Grand Tour. The first day of rest on the first of the three three-week state tours is Monday.

Pogacar helps teammates This top favorite Pogacar can particularly enjoy, as he continues to dominate the Giro d'Italia at will. Pogacar wanted to help teammate Molano win the stage at the finish. “Unfortunately it didn’t quite work out. But if I can help, then it’s better for me to be at the front,” said the Slovenian, who leads very comfortably with a lead of 2:40 minutes. “I’m looking forward to relaxing a bit and hopefully not thinking about the race for a day,” said Pogacar on Sunday. “I’m sure I’ll really get on some guys’ nerves.” Tadej pogacar His superiority is so great that Pogacar was forced to defend his successes even before the 9th stage. “I’m 100 percent sure that I’m really getting on some guys’ nerves,” said the 25-year-old. “But I drive for the team that pays me and my teammates who work their butts off for me. We want to show how strong we are here.”

Pogacar's UAE team is said to have received a large entry fee. In addition, the route has been significantly simplified compared to previous years, and the altitude has been reduced by around 20 percent. This will help Pogacar come out of the Giro fresher to achieve his huge goal of the Giro/Tour de France double.

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Ex-speed skater outdoes everyone at the Giro

Olav Kooij won the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia from Avezzano over 214 km to Naples in a thrilling sprint. It was his first success on a major tour, and a curious one at that.

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