Simon Yates, the winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico EOLO, said: “I’m a different rider now compared to how I was in 2018. I am older, I’ve gained more experience and I’ve learnt how to deal with stress. I think I showed this at the Tirreno-Adriatico: I can manage situations better now and stay calm, I think the team trusts me more now as a result. Today I rode a great time trial. I wasn’t sure how much time I could have won or lost against Thomas and Majka. Sometimes I’m good against the clock, but it’s so difficult to say ahead of time. After this result, I’m looking forward to resting up for a few days. Then I’ll be doing some targeted training for the Giro, to push my form ahead of the race’s start. Some big mountains are coming up at the Giro so I would like to do some altitude training. ”
Geraint Thomas, runner-up of the Tirreno-Adriatico EOLO, said: “I’m pleased with how this week has gone – 2nd is a good result. I feel like I’ll be stronger at the Giro, but so many others will be too! The time trial went well, I paced it pretty well. Perhaps I had a few more seconds in the bank, but not 17 seconds – so that makes me feel better about missing out on the win overall! I’m really excited about riding the Giro now. The Astana guys are going to be a big threat, Wilco Kelderman too – there are lots of big names and very strong teams. Nibali will be better at the Giro too, definitely. It’s going to be very competitive.”
Rafal Majka, third in the GC, said: “I am really happy because my form is getting better and better in time for the upcoming Giro d’Italia. I lost second place in the GC to Geraint Thomas but like I said, my legs are good, and the whole team had a great week with 2 stage victories from Pascal [Ackermann], a lot of podiums and a third place finish in the GC. Now I’m focussed on the Giro d’Italia, I’m going to target it and go for a podium, maybe win a stage too.”
Today’s stage winner Filippo Ganna, said: “This is a wonderful victory for me. We’ve worked so hard all Tirreno-Adriatico for Geraint [Thomas]. This morning he told me to give it everything and go for the win, and I did. I’m happy as well from the perspective of taking a win for Italy, and I’ve been told that I’ve broken [Fabian] Cancellara’s course record here. Now I’ve got to concentrate on the time trial event at the World Championships where I’ll be hoping to beat my teammate Rohan [Dennis].”
The Maglia Arancio Pascal Ackermann said: “I haven’t ridden a TT bike in such a long time! Today was a bit like a rest day today, it was more relaxed, I took it a little easy. I’m really really happy to have won the jersey, and I’m super pleased with my performances this week. Coming into the Tirreno, I wasn’t feeling too great about my riding, so the results I’ve got here have been good for both my legs and for my head.”
The Maglia Verde Hector Carretero said: “The Maglia Verde is a big prize for me and for the team. We came here with another goal, to win a stage or two, but it’s nice to take something home and this race has been great preparation. I have a few stages that I will target at the Giro, I’d love to win one! Now it’s time to rest and get ready to go again in October.”
The Maglia Bianca Aleksandr Vlasov said: “I didn’t think I would be able to gain a lot of time on my rivals today – the route is short and very flat which doesn’t really suit me. I’ll be working on my time trial riding to make sure that next time I’ll be a little bit faster. Overall though, I’m happy with my performance and result at the Tirreno-Adriatico. For me, this was a big test for the Giro, and I did well. I’ll have a little rest and prepare myself to be ready to fight. I’m looking forward to it.”
