Second and third places for Lidl-Trek duo on Giro Queen Stage
Lidl-Trek went on the offence on stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia, placing Giulio Ciccone and and Matteo Sobrero in the initial breakaway, who were then joined by Derek Gee-West. Ciccone capitalised on the opportunity, picking up 140 points in the mountains classification, including the valuable 50 points on offer at the Cima Coppi – Passo Giau.
Gee-West’s presence in the breakaway also gave him the chance to make significant gains in the general classification. The Canadian champion began the stage with his eyes on a top-five GC position, and to do so needed to overcome a one minute and forty second deficit to Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious). Gee-West picked up precious seconds on his GC rivals at the hotly-contested Red Bull sprint on the slopes of Passo Falzarego. Shortly afterwards, Ciccone launched a bold attack over the summit, gaining over a minute on the descent, which allowed Gee-West to recover in the wheel of his breakaway companions.
Just one climb stood between Ciccone and stage victory, but on the steep final ascent the Italian paid for his earlier efforts and was passed by stage winner Sepp Kuss (Visma Lease-a-bike). Gee-West, who continues to improve as the Giro goes on, was not far behind, pushing the American all the way to the line. Lidl-Trek end the day with second and third place on the stage, the Maglia Azzura on the shoulders of Giulio Ciccone, and Derek Gee-West firmly in the Giro d’Italia top five.
Derek’s reaction:
“It was super hard, I mean, right from the start. I was just going stay with the GC guys and then Tudor pulled a really good move with Michael jumping and then a bunch of their guys dropping back, pulling him across, so I had to go with that. And then, to be honest, I thought we had the stage when Cicco went on the descent and there was a bit of disorder behind. Hats off to Sepp, the way he pulled in the valley, I was sitting in the wheels and he still rode away from me.
Tudor did a really good job into Giau to keep the gap open and then, yeah, Michael, Giulio and I committed to keeping it rolling. Cicco moved into the lead of the KOM, so that was a big goal going into the day. When he went for the KOM and Rubio sat up, there was just an immediate gap and he kept it going and I was on the radio telling him, you know, it was super disordered. And then, I mean, also credit to Michael, he knew he was riding for a GC gap and he just put his head down in the valley.”
Cicco’s reaction:
“I’m happy. It was really painful. Full gas from the start to the end. I think as a team we had a plan and we did a great stage. We finished second and third. Maybe we can be a bit disappointed to miss the victory, but we can be super proud as a team because we did a super good job.
I mean, I went in the downhill and then in the valley it was full headwind. I think this was a good move also for Derek because like this he could stay on the wheel. And then I don’t know what happened behind me because I was in the front and I didn’t watch the stage yet.
I saw Kuss coming double speed and there was nothing to do. Then at the same time I saw Derek that he was pacing, but I was completely à bloc. So he went straight past and finished second.”
