Giulio Ciccone won the final stage of the Dauphiné with a show of strength, as he demonstrated earlier in the season at Volta Valenciana and Volta Catalunya. Today, he faced the challenge of getting in the breakaway with the likes of Alaphilippe and Benoot. Climb after climb, Ciccone' performance grew stronger and stronger. The leaders’ group behind him never let up, leaving a maximum advantage of only 2'30".
Kilometer after kilometer, the breakaway shed riders, until the moment, at 25km to go, when Giulio broke the tie and went on a solo mission. A challenge of one against all: Vingegaard, Yates, O'Connor, Hindley. Despite their efforts, Cicco kept the distance and the last ramp up to Grenoble La Bastille (2km at an average of 14%) was the final test.
Ciccone is there and now, for him, comes his wedding with fiancée Annabruna, before the Italian Championships and the appointment for the second Grande Boucle of his career.
Reaction from Giulio Ciccone:
“The final 500 meters of today’s stage were really long but, you know, with all the people there it was really nice. Also, when I looked behind and saw I was still in front with a good gap I just went full gas straight and I’m really happy.
It was really difficult all day because the guys behind kept the gap really small. For the head, it was not easy from the start to the finish. The feeling was like I was doing one TT. I took some risks in the last downhill and on the final climb I just pushed full gas knowing that the finish line was just there.
This year, the Giro was in my program and then I got covid just before. I had to skip that and then had about 10 days off the bike. My condition was not 100 percent, but I started here with the Tour in my mind and this week, I could see I was getting better and better. This win is a good final point.
The mountain jersey is really nice. It’s one of my favourite jerseys. To be honest, this week, I never thought about it. Also today, Campenaerts was with us in the breakaway and took his points. I just followed. My thought was only about the stage.
The Tour de France is now really close but before that I get married next week and this is a gift for my future wife. My goal is always the same. I really would like to win one stage in the Tour and I really like this jersey so we go there and stay focused and see day by day.”
