2023-05-09 02:00:00
It’s raining in Basilicata, the deep south, and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal) tries on pink winter clothes. Long sleeves over the Giro leader’s jersey that covers the world champion’s rainbow jersey. It rains in Basilicata in May and it is not uncommon, because this is a remote region, trapped by the mighty Apennines. Isolated forever. You arrive here by sea and that is why there are still towns where Greek is spoken. From Basilicata is Domenico Pozzovivo (Israel), who at the age of 40 runs his 17th Giro despite a shattered elbow that prevents him from playing the piano well. The Belgian is trying to understand what it means to wear the pink jersey, he suspects that nothing is as it seems.
He seemed to prove the size of the jersey on the climb to Mount Vulture, the last of yesterday’s stage and an extinct volcano. He seemed that the stage, the climb and the Giro in general were too small for him, as if his body was asking him to break the seams. He gained a bonus second from Roglic (Jumbo) in the intermediate sprint and it looked like he was left wanting to attack. But two days in pink have given him enough arguments not to trust himself. Today the Giro has its first finish at a high point and Rome is far away. He let the stage run and in the Melfi sprint Michael Matthews (Jayco) won, who won the Giro again eight years after his previous victory, in 2015 in Sestri Levante. In 2014 he had won in Montecassino. The Australian is 31 years old and has been winning for a lifetime.
Michael Matthews | Jayco
«I am speechless, winning in the third stage is more than I dreamed of; It’s been a long and unpleasant day.”
high end
Evenepoel doesn’t know if the pink jersey is too small for him or if it fits him like a glove. Today he will have a more concrete idea, with the arrival at Lake Laceno. It’s a real climb in the Apennines. The pass is called Colle Molella (9.9 kilometers at 6%, with three intermediate kilometers at 9.4%). The top is three kilometers from the finish line, which is reached by skirting Lake Laceno, in a downhill section. More than a slope and less than the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. The Belgian can fly in this terrain, it will be necessary to see if he puts another jolt in the Giro like the time trial or decides to try his clothes.
Remco Evenepoel | Soudal
«I went for the bonus because it was dangerous because of the rain and I wanted to be in front; I saw Roglic behind, so I decided to sprint.”
The leader should approach Pozzovivo to ask. Apart from being a veteran and a resident of the area, he knows a lot. Graduated in Economics from the Marconi Telematic University in Rome, he speaks fluent English, loves music, meteorology and is passionate about politics. He used to vote for the Democratic Party, but anyone knows if it still exists. “I sleep little and read a lot,” he once said. He tried soccer because his father coached a team. He played defense, but he was bad and lasted two seasons, unlike Evenepoel, who was very good and became captain of the Belgium youth team before switching to cycling.
Between today, the arrival at Gran Sasso – the road has been cleared of snow, but new snowfall is announced – and the time trial on Sunday in Cesena, Evenepoel can leave the Giro as a solar. He doubts if the pink jersey is too small for him. No problem, in Italy there is always a good tailor on hand.
Matthews gives Pedersen no options in a force sprint
Michael Matthews won the third stage of the Giro in a very complicated arrival, on a hill. The Australian prevailed by force to Mads Pedersen (Trek) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin). A born winner, he had not raised his arms for 300 days, since he did so in the 14th stage of the Tour last year in Mende. In addition to the stage game, the highlight of the day was the fight between Evenepoel and Roglic in the intermediate sprint. The Slovenian is now 44 seconds behind the leader and Almeida, who had a mechanical problem near the finish line but was able to solve it, is 32 seconds behind.
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