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Primož Roglič takes total victory in Giro d’Italia, dash nice Cavendish wins closing stage in Rome


The 2 lives of Primož Roglič have been linked collectively when a former ski leaping teammate pushed him towards the general title on the Giro d’Italia.

Mark Cavendish received some assist from a former teammate, too, when the British sprinter gained Sunday’s closing stage with a leadout from Geraint Thomas — lower than per week after asserting that he’ll retire on the finish of the season.

In a sport the place meticulous planning can solely go thus far, it was two sudden circumstances that propelled Roglič and Cavendish atop the rostrum.

One of many key moments for Roglič got here in Saturday’s mountain time trial when he rode over a pothole and his chain popped unfastened on one of many steepest sections as much as Monte Lussari.

After Roglič put the chain again in place by himself and was aided by a Jumbo Visma staff workers member, one other man sporting a purple shirt ran down the mountain and helped push him again into motion — after which saved operating alongside for encouragement.

Roglič went on to win the penultimate stage and take the pink jersey from Thomas earlier than Sunday’s largely ceremonious journey over the cobblestoned streets of Rome.

On Sunday, Roglič confirmed that the person within the purple shirt was Mitja Meznar who, together with Roglič, was a member of the Slovenian squad that gained a gold medal in staff ski leaping on the 2007 junior Nordic world championships in Planica, Slovenia, and Tarvisio — the identical city the place Monte Lussari is positioned.

Primož Roglič survived a mechanical setback in Saturday’s climbing time trial to seal total victory on the Giro d’Italia.()

“I did not communicate with him but as a result of yesterday I used to be an excessive amount of targeted (when) I noticed him. I simply put my chain again on and I regarded down. I used to be simply considering, ‘Push, push, push,'” Roglič mentioned.

“He is a brilliant good good friend, you’ll be able to say my roommate,” Roglič added, marvelling that it occurred in the identical place as their ski leaping title. “So it is simply unimaginable.”

The 33-year-old Roglič stopped ski leaping in 2012 and took up biking and has now gained a fourth Grand Tour to go along with his three Spanish Vuelta titles.

Meznar competed in ski leaping on the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Roglič, the primary Slovenian to win the Giro, completed 14 seconds forward of Thomas and one minute, 15 seconds forward of Joao Almeida within the total standings.

It is the smallest ending hole between the highest riders within the Giro since Eddy Merckx gained by 12 seconds forward of Gianbattista Baronchelli in 1974.

Using a pink bike and sporting a pink helmet and pink socks, Roglič took it straightforward in the course of the 135-kilometre stage that concluded subsequent to the Roman Discussion board.

In the course of the podium celebrations, Roglič’s  son, Lev, joined him on the stage and appeared extra excited than his dad.

“I am attempting to get pleasure from all of the feelings, and every part that occurred yesterday,” Roglič mentioned.

“On the finish, it is at all times good to win, on this spectacular metropolis … all these wonderful buildings, it is tremendous stunning.”

Mark Cavendish’s time in Italian biking ended on a excessive with a win in Rome within the closing stage of the Giro d’Italia.()

Cavendish claimed the 54th Grand Tour stage win of his profession — and he had Thomas to thank for it. The pair have been collectively at Workforce Sky greater than a decade in the past and have additionally been teammates for years with Britain on the world championships.

“I sort of mentioned jokingly, ‘Fancy main out?'” Cavendish mentioned. “(Thomas) simply shouted, ‘Cav,’ and simply went. He is so particular. For 25 years he is been one among my finest pals.

“To see how optimistic he’s regardless of shedding the maglia rosa. That is him all the way down to a ‘T.’ It is how he is at all times been, he at all times sees the glass half full.

“That is why he is particular. Greater than any bike rider, he is a superb individual, good good friend, good teammate.”

Cavendish began his dash early sufficient that he was forward of a crash within the closing straight involving a number of riders.

“Effectively, if I could not win, I believed I’d as nicely attempt to assist an previous mate out,” Thomas tweeted, “Name it an early retirement pressie.”

Additionally, at age 38 Cavendish grew to become the oldest rider to win a Giro stage, beating the report held by Paolo Tiralongo, who was 37 when he gained a stage in 2015.

“My first Grand Tour victory was in 2008 within the Giro, down in Reggio Calabria,” Cavendish mentioned. “To win right here in Rome it is stunning. That is a bucket-list win to do, exterior the Colosseum.

“I could not finish my racing profession in Italy any higher than profitable within the Giro d’Italia in Rome,” Cavendish added. “It is actually excellent.”

Alex Kirsch completed second within the stage and Filippo Fiorelli crossed third.

Cavendish will subsequent try to interrupt his tie with Eddy Merckx for essentially the most profession wins on the Tour de France — 34.

“Any win offers you confidence for the following time you win,” Cavendish mentioned.


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