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There was no hiding the sheer disappointment for Juan Pedro Lopez when he crossed the finish line of Stage 4 in the Giro d’Italia. He had messed up the final corner, taking a bad line and nearly crashing. As a result, he did not even have the chance to sprint for victory at the top of Mount Etna, leaving him with a bitter second place.
But moments later when he finally realized he had taken the race lead and the maglia rosa was his, tears of frustration turned to sobs of joy.
“I am so happy to take the jersey,” said an emotional Lopez. “I didn’t believe in the moment when someone told me I had the pink jersey. After 10mins I finally realized it. I will enjoy it today, tomorrow – I don’t know how many days I will have it, but I will enjoy every moment.”
On his attack: “My director told me to try and go in the hardest part [of the climb], so I did.
It was the best moment to make the difference and when I went, I felt strong. You never know what happens, so I tried, but Kamna caught me in the last 2-3k, and we fought for the sprint. But I nearly crashed and… nothing. I wanted to win but it was so difficult. Then I found out I have the jersey, and I am so happy.”
Second Spaniard since Contador to wear pink: “When Contador won here [2011] I did not see this on TV because I started really late in cycling. Of course, I know about it from the media.”
Photo ©Sprint Cycling
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