Saturday's stage 20 saw the last of the mountains in the Giro d’Italia and all that remains is one final stage into Milan for the fastmen tomorrow.
For the general classification the race is all but done, but for Trek Factory Racing Sunday is the day they have patiently awaited since Giacomo Nizzolo first pulled on the red jersey as leader in the points competition three days ago.
“Today was the last mountain stage so we tried to manage the best we could on the last two climbs,” said Giacomo Nizzolo. “The whole team stayed together today, except Fabio [Felline] was ahead. I am really proud that my mates stayed with me the whole time, and that helped me and each of us to get through, it was certainly more fun.”
“We will speak about tomorrow’s strategy tonight or tomorrow morning, and for sure it is a day that we have been waiting for a long time, especially me. We will see tomorrow, everyone knows that I am really motivated, but we will see tomorrow what is the feeling.
“I can say that tomorrow it will be a team effort, and I think everyone can make a great job, so hopefully we will show what we are really able to do.”
Fabio Felline was the highest finisher for the team in the 196-kilometer penultimate stage, staying with the leaders until the first attacks burst everything apart. He came across the line in 18th place for a second straight day.
The rest of Trek Factory Racing arrived together, showing solidarity ahead of the final stage tomorrow where it will take a huge team effort to secure the maglia rossa, and fight for a stage victory at the same time.
Calvin Watson summed up his Giro, his first ever Grand Tour, and also gave insight into the final exciting day for the team tomorrow:
“It’s been a hell of a journey, I can tell you that! But it’s been so nice to enjoy it with this group of guys; we have all stuck together and supported each other through the highs and the lows.
“Giacomo has the red jersey now and we are going to fight 100% to keep it tomorrow. For me, I am just really happy to make it to Milan – I have to pinch myself sometimes because it was only five years ago that I was watching this race on TV, and now here I am completing my first Grand Tour. It’s a very special feeling.
“Tomorrow is going to be a stressful day for us I think as Lampre [Merida] are going to challenge Giacomo in the bonus sprints. We will have our work cut out, but it’s the final day of the Giro, so we will lay all our energy out there on the road and give everything for Giacomo, and hopefully his legs can do the talking.”
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