Milan takes another step closer to winning: “The condition is there, as are the legs to look beyond the second place.”
Jonathan Milan’s eyes flashed with tenacity at the finish of today’s third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, which finished in Gualdo Tadino. The Italian sprinter crossed the line in second place, having fought with Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) until the very last meter.
Johnny in action on the final descent, followed by Skujins (©GettyImages)
The belief that he has more in the legs than second place is strong. Today’s stage saw Johnny among the protagonists, as well as the whole of Lidl-Trek, who did a great job to keep him in the front of the peloton in the most hectic moments. From the last mountain sprint (15km to the finish), Milan and his teammates made their determination to win clear. Johnny resisted the high pace set by the teams interested to cut the sprinters out of the game, and then faced the final thousand meters at full gas.
It’s well known that winning sprints are always a combination of several factors. Today, Milan lacked only the ideal position after the last corner, despite a great comeback. But, in the end, a second place is a worthy result and the best step on the way to win the next challenge.
Toms leading Johnny on the climb, one the key moment of today's stage (©GettyImages)
The words of Jonathan Milan
“The feeling was good and I faced the day really believing in the win. Honestly, I don’t have too many regrets about the result, I did my best. The team did a super job keeping me in the front from the start of the last climb until the last kilometer. From the flamme rouge onwards, it was a very hectic race. The finish was very tricky, not easy to face. Moreover, with wet asphalt.
With hindsight, I could have managed my moves better in the final thousand meters, but considering the crashes happened just behind me, I’m glad I had the chance to battle with Bauhaus on the final straight. The only thing I lacked was the perfect position in the last corner. But with hindsight it’s all easier… Again, it was a good second place and a strong performance.
I proved to myself the good feelings I had in the time trial. The condition is there, as are the legs to look beyond second place. That’s my takeaway from today’s stage. Now my mind is already on the next opportunity. I experience my first Tirreno-Adriatico day by day, especially because every day is a hard one. I still see good opportunities for us in the coming days, we will work to build on them and to fill the gap that we miss to finish the day on the first step of the podium.”
Milan is now the leader of the points classification (©GettyImages)
