Evenepoel doesn’t know if the “pink jersey” is his size

It is raining Basilicata, deep south, i strap evenepoel (Soudal) tries on pink winter clothes. long sleeve over jersey from the leader Turn which covers the rainbow jersey of the world champion. In Basilicata, it rains in May, and this is not unusual, because this is a remote region, trapped by high altitudes Apennines. Forever isolated. You get here by sea and that’s why there are still cities where Greek is spoken. He is from Basilicata Domenico Pozzovivo (Israel), who at the age of 40 is running his 17th Giro despite a broken elbow that prevents him from playing the piano well. The Belgian is trying to figure out what it means to wear pink jerseyHe senses that nothing is as it seems.

He seemed to be testing the size of the jersey on the climb up the mountain vulture, the last stage this Monday and the extinct volcano. The stage, the climb and the Giro in general seemed too small for him, as if his body was asking to burst at the seams. Won bonus to second croissant (Jumbo) in the intermediate sprint and hinted that he still wanted to attack. But two days in pink gave him enough arguments not to believe himself. This Tuesday, the Giro has its first high finish, and Rome is a long way off. He let the stage go and the Melfi sprint was won by Michael Matthews (Jayco), who won the Giro again eight years after his previous victory, in 2015 in Sestri Levante. In 2014, he won in Montecassino. The Australian is 31 years old and has been winning all his life.

Top Evenepoel doesn’t know if it is pink jersey It is small or fits like a saliva. This Tuesday you will have a more concrete idea, with your arrival at Lake Laceno. It is 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 peak is three kilometers from the finish line, which is reached by going downhill around Lake Laceno. More than the steepness, but less than the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. The Belgian can fly in this field, it will be necessary to see if he gives another spurt in the Giro like a time trial or if he decides to test his clothes.

The leader should approach Pozzovivo and ask. In addition to being a veteran and resident of the region, he knows a lot. He graduated in economics from the Marconi Telematic University in Rome, speaks English fluently, loves music, meteorology and is passionate about politics. I used to vote for the Democratic Party, but does anyone know if it still exists. “I sleep little and read a lot,” he once said. He tried to play football because his father coached the team. He played defense but was bad and lasted two seasons, unlike Evenepoel who was very good and became the captain of the youth team of Belgium before switching to cycling.

Between this Tuesday’s arrival at Gran Sasso – the road has been cleared of snow, but more snowfall is forecast – and Sunday’s time trial in Cesena, Evenepoel can leave the Giro as a solar. Doubt if pink jersey it’s too small for her No problem. In Italy, a good tailor is always at hand.

Matthews gives no options to Pedersen

michael matthews he won the third stage of the Giro in a very complicated finish, on a hill. The Australian forcefully overcame Mads Pedersen (Trek) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin). A born winner, he has not raised his hands for 300 days, since he did so in the 14th stage of the Tour last year in Mende. Apart from the fight for the performance, the highlight of the day was the fight between Evenepoel and Roglić in the intermediate sprint. The Slovenian is now 44 seconds behind the leader, and Almeida, who had a mechanical problem near the finish but managed to resolve it, is 32 seconds behind.