Tim Wellens continued the magic Giro d’Italia for Lotto Soudal by making it two in a row for the Belgian team as he came out on top in the first mountain stage of the race. Having taken the initiative at the midpoint of the stage, the Belgian dropped his four companions on the final climb and held off the favourites to take the first grand tour stage win of his career. In the battle for the GC, Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha), Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin), Kanstantsin Siutsou (Dimension Data) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r) turned out to be the strongest as they dropped pre-race favourites Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Mikel Landa (Sky) who all showed signs of weakness.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Tim Wellens: Tom Dumoulin told me that it was time to attack

Tim Wellens managed to win the sixth stage in the Giro d’Italia, his first victory in a Grand Tour. At 70 kilometres from the finish, Pim Ligthart, Tim Wellens and Laurent Didier accelerated in the peloton. The three attackers bridged the gap to Zhupa and Bisolti, the two remaining escapees. The advantage of the five leaders increased steadily and they got a maximum lead of almost nine minutes.

 

At fifteen kilometres from the finish, Tim Wellens attacked in the front group. Pim Ligthart, who did a great effort to maintain the lead, was already dropped at that moment. The chasers tried to bridge the gap to Wellens, but he gave a strong impression. In the meantime a few attempts were made in the GC group. Tim Wellens wasn’t threatened and the young Belgian won the stage in an impressive way. It’s the second victory in a row for Lotto Soudal in this Giro.

 

“Yesterday, the team delivered a great performance to lead André Greipel to the victory,” he said. “That’s why we said before this stage that several riders could take it easy today. I suggested that I would join a break if the circumstances would allow that. Three riders had gone clear from the peloton and in the descent two riders stayed in front.

 

”Together with Pim Ligthart and with the approval of Tom Dumoulin I decided to bridge the gap to the two leaders; Laurent Didier joined us. We were able to close that gap quickly. There wasn’t immediately a reaction in the peloton and the front group worked well together so our lead increased. Pim really did a great job today and he totally sacrificed himself to enlarge the gap.

 

“Lampre-Merida and Orica-GreenEdge pulled at the front of the peloton for a while, but yet we were able to start the final climb with a comfortable lead. I didn’t know for sure whether I had the best legs in the front group or not, but I did know that the difference had to be made on the steepest part of the climb, which was in the beginning. I accelerated at fifteen kilometres from the finish after Didier tried to get away. After that, the most important thing was to maintain the pace. There were a few attempts in the peloton but they were unable to close the gap. In that way I managed to stay ahead.

 

"I have Pim Ligthart to thank. It was his idea to go away together at that point in the race. Then we bridged the gap to the leaders. I had good feelings today so I could maintain a good pace alone at the front on the final climb. I'm enormously happy with this victory. It's a little bit of a surprise. I'm happy that no team rode behind us.

 

“I was highly motivated to go on the attack today but when I missed the move of the three riders [Alessandro Bisolti, Eugert Zhupa and Alexander Kolobnev], I thought it was all over. After the peloton split in a downhill, Tom Dumoulin who is a good friend of mine since we went on a semi-holiday to take part in the criterium of Curaçao last November, told me it was time to attack. That’s why we know each other and I hope he makes it to Turin in pink.

 

“I didn’t do it straight away but my team-mate Pim Ligthart asked me to go with him some time later and we did.

 

“We were all well down overall and we got plenty of space. That surprised me, but sometimes you need a little luck. On the final climb I felt that I was the strongest and so I went for it.

 

“We were riding very well together, and we were lucky because there was no real organisation in the peloton behind. Then by the bottom of the last climb we had a big advantage thanks to Pim. I wasn’t sure if I was the strongest, but when I started to feel I was the best, I attacked and rode full gas to the top.

 

"I was a little afraid to meet the man with the hammer. But luckily he stayed away. I gauged my climbing well and that helped me move forward. The last kilometer was long, but then I knew that the win was mine.

 

“The race leader is not often someone I know very well. He gives very good advice and he deserves to take the Maglia Rosa home.

 

“It’s not often that a race leader gives me advice, because I don’t often know them very well, but given how well it worked out this time, if it happens again I think I will take it.”

 

“This victory is fantastic of course. Our goal in this Giro was to obtain a stage win. Yesterday our efforts paid off in an impressive way with André. It would be amazing if I were able to win a stage myself and to do that in such way, is just incredible. I don’t win a lot of races, but I think that my victories can count.

 

”Tomorrow, we will again try to go for the sprint with André. We’ll see if there will be any opportunities for me during the coming two weeks.”

 

Jakob Fuglsang: Did you see that I beat Zakarin in the sprint?

"I was pushing hard while I was climbing to the finish line,” said Jakob Fuglsang. “I knew I was good and I'm very happy with my second place overall.

 

"The tactic was to attack in the steepest part of the climb to make selection and the team worked hard and well to promote my solo ride.

 

“I came out well from the Giro del Trentino where I finished third in the GC and today I gained a few seconds on my direct rivals for the GC. Now I just need to recover and to spend as little as possible in the stage tomorrow.”

 

"Overall I can be satisfied. Maybe it had been better to keep a 30-second advantage lead to Dumoulin also, but it was not so bad,” he added to TV2 Sport.

 

"I beat Zakarin there, did you see that? They were probably a little more on the limit after having been out there for a while so I thought I'd better take some bonus seconds.

 

Vincenzo Nibali blames team management for time loss in the Giro

"I think our tactics were wrong, apart from the first part with Fuglsang, because that was what we wanted to do. I maybe put too much trust in the words I was getting over the radio and I made a move at the wrong time," Nibali told Cyclingnews and Spaziociclismo.

 

"Today's tactics changed during the stage. I was going to wait for the finale because we knew this wasn't a climb that suits me very well. But then they told me that if I was good, I should have a go. I had a go, but really I should have sat on and waited.

 

"My sensations were good. If not, I wouldn't have tried that attack, and even after having a go, I was able to stay up there with the faster guys for a finish like this. These are very explosive finishes for fast riders. We have to wait for the high mountains where the gradients are steeper. This didn't have an extreme gradient. It was fine on the wheels today but it was hard out in the wind.

 

"Dumoulin surprised us a bit because from what we'd seen on the previous climb, it didn't seem as though he was pedaling that well. But he hid himself very well and when he attacked, he attacked very hard.

 

"I'd already made an acceleration so following him at that moment was really very hard. It was hard for the others too because nobody else went after him, it wasn't just me. We all know who Dumoulin is and he showed what he can do today, so we'll all have to ride with a lot more attention. This Giro will be a long, hard race and we've got a very important rival in Dumoulin.

 

"There are so many great champions. It takes great calmness  since the Giro is long. There will be important days in which it will be important to attack.

 

Astana sports director admits tactical mistake in first mountain stage

"Maybe we made a mistake from the team car, asking Vincenzo to attack when there was that wind," Astana sports director Giuseppe Martinelli told Spazioclismo. "The idea was for him to bridge across the Fuglsang but the wind was too strong. This won't affect the rest of the Giro much but I think the tactics were wrong. When you lose a few seconds, the mood is not the best. You have to look forward and you cannot think too much. 

"Today we had to limit the damage and we lost a little bit. Surely we were wrong from the team car. I told him Vincenzo to try if you feel well, because he could have a good companion as Fuglsang was in front.”

 

Ilnur Zakarin after third place: I did not feel good

Ilnur Zakarin proved he is ready for this Giro d’Italia. In the first stage, where the riders could show their climbing legs, Zakarin finished third. He is now also third in GC after six days of racing in the Giro d’Italia.

The victory in stage 6 from Ponte to Roccaraso (157 km) was for Belgian Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal). Tom Dumoulin defended well his maglia rosa in this Tour of Italy.

 

The race favorites awaited the final three uphill race kilometers to open the debates. Vincenzo Nibali (Team Astana) was the first to attack. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) and pink jersey Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) counterattacked.

 

Dumoulin and Pozzovivo went away, while later both riders saw Team KATUSHA‘s Ilnur Zakarin join them. Later on these three riders joined Konstantin Sivtsov (Team Sky) and virtual pink jersey Jacob Fuglsang (Team Astana), two of the riders in front. They just came too late to catch stage winner Tim Wellens. Behind Fuglsang, Zakarin finished third ahead of Tom Dumoulin.

 

”The stage was hard, but the team supported me so well. At the beginning of the final climb I did not feel so good. There was a strong wind over there, but Pavel Kochetkov provided me precaucious help. Pavel protected me from the wind. Later on I started to feel better. In the last few kilomters there was a head wind. Nibali was the first to attack. When I saw Dumoulin and Pozzovivo counterattacking, I decided to follow their moves. In the final I did my best to finish as high as possible,” said Ilnur Zakarin.

 

”We knew it could be a hard stage with a tough final. Of course it was not a climb, that could provoke big gaps, but anyway it was clear that the contenders would try something. Our main plan was to support Ilnur during the day and to bring him in a good position for the final climb. I asked Ilnur to be concentrated and to follow the attacks of the main rivals in case somebody would try. So everything went quite perfect for us. Ilnur did a very smart and strong race. He counterattacked at the right moment and finished third. Today was just the first important day. Many other hard days are still to come,” added Team Director Dmitry Konyshev.

 

It was a bad luck for Alexey Tsatevich, who crashed on the second part of the stage. He was able to come back and finish the race. With not too serious injures, he hopes to continue the race.

 

Tom Dumoulin: I didn’t expect to be climbing so well

Tom Dumoulin was kept safe throughout the short but mountainous stage, and the Dutchman stayed calm as his teammates controlled the pace in the tricky weather conditions.

 

He was well positioned at the front of the peloton with the support of Georg Preidler and Tobias Ludvigsson. With 2km to go, Dumoulin saw an opportunity and attacked. It was a fantastic ride by him and he raced to 4th place. In the general classification, he extended his lead to 26″.

 

Tom Dumoulin said: “I felt actually quite good today much better than I expected. Especially on the last climb, I had some good legs. I coached Tobias and Georg to set the pace up the first part of the ascent and then the other teams took over. When Nibali attacked and Sky brought him back I saw an opportunity to attack and I went for it.

 

"My attack was not planned but I saw Nibali going so I went too. There was only one opportunity and I took it. I really surprised myself. I was stronger than I expected. I didn't think I'd be in that shape for climbing. It was not a high mountain but it was still a proper climb today.

 

“I could understand that the other guys didn’t want to cooperate with me in the chasing group and I would have done the same. In the end, it cost me a little bit of time, but overall it was a good day. It is a bit unexpected to extend my lead, but I am very happy with the performance.

 

“When Nibali attacked I suffered but then when he came back I went for it. You’ve got to follow the moment. I noticed that Nibali was struggling on the flatter section and so I thought I’d go for it.

 

"It was actually a smart move for them to do that with Fuglsang. But I thought Nibali attacked at the wrong moment. I didn't have Georg Preidler or Tobias Ludvigsson to support me by then so I was hoping that Movistar or Sky would close the gap on Nibali and they did.

 

"If my rivals had let Nibali and Fuglsang take a lot of time then they also lose time, so you just have to gamble. If I lose at that point, then they also lose. It wasn't their plan to help me, but they did.

 

"Then there was a little ramp, and I just went for it: if I see an opportunity then I just go and I don't think any more.

 

"You cannot explain this feeling, when an animal has an instinct for something, he just does it. I guess that's the same here. It's instinct. I had some good legs and I already said if there is an opportunity, I just take it. Maybe that's going to cost me in the last week, but the seconds I have taken now, I can also maybe use them in the last week.

 

"Movistar made ​​a strange movement. They tried to split the peloton in the descent I suppose. I'm not sure what their plan was, but we really rode calmly then. The last climb was decisive, as expected. I had good legs and that's why I attacked, it went really well. It was good and while it is a surprise, it means it's a good sign. If I see an opportunity, I go for it, I'm not the type to wait. If I have bad legs, I ride with caution, if I have good legs, I go. This was a climb that suited me. You need to have the legs but I had them today.

 

"I said that the general classification was not possible with my preparation, but at present, I am really surprised by myself. We have to take it day by day like we already did last week even though we are close to a situation where I could quickly go for the GC.

 

“My attack was absolutely not planned. I just trusted my instincts. I was expecting Nibali to close on Fuglsang but he went at the wrong moment. Team Sky bridged the gap. I didn’t have Preidler or Ludvigsson with me. I remained without a team but I felt very strong.

 

”I didn’t prepare for the high mountains but I’ve worked hard to prepare for the Giro. I surprised myself today. Maybe one day I’ll lose everything but until that day comes, I will defend the Maglia Rosa”.

 

"I always said that I hadn't prepared for the high mountains and for GC but I surprised myself today, I didn't think I would be this good. Of course when I worked for the Giro d'Italia I worked hard but only at home, I didn't do any mountain training camps.

 

"I didn't think my training would be enough,apparently up until now, though, actually it is.

 

"I just have to see how long it lasts. Nothing will change for the coming two weeks, I will try and defend the overall classification as long as possible. Maybe at one point there is a day I feel really bad in high mountains and I lose everything. But until that day comes we'll defend the jersey.

 

"My attack had some risks, but I don't have the pressure to be on the podium in Turin, I'm just here to enjoy myself. I will also look at opportunities to take more time and definitely when my rivals don't expect those attacks or I can surprise them I need to do it."

 

"It will be very difficult to get enough time in Chianti to be able to defend the maglia all the way to the finish but I will go full gas as I always d. It's a time trial that suits me really well because it's up and down but it also means that the other GC riders like Nibali and Valverde will prefer a time trial like this over a flatter one.

 

"I don't know how much time I will take, maybe not even a lot or maybe nothing. But I will just go full gas and then we'll see at the end."

 

Coach Marc Reef gave his thoughts after the race: “It was a really tough day. We did a good job with the team at the beginning to control the race. Then Movistar Team did a very fast descent and the whole bunch split. When the race came back together, we set the pace at the front of the peloton once there was the breakaway of five guys. Eventually, as the gap quickly increased other teams joined the chase.

 

“On the uphill finish, we still had four guys to support Tom and to do the chase. Of course, we were expecting attacks but we stayed calm in the bunch. Georg and Tobias did a great job in setting the tempo. In the last kilometers, Tom saw an opportunity and attacked from the GC group. I didn’t expect it but Tom was very strong and he achieved a great result as we retained the pink jersey.

 

“It was a really tough day. I think we did a good job with the team. We controlled [the race] in the beginning and that was not too hard. Movistar did a very fast descent but it all came back together. We took control again, when five guys were in the lead. The gap was pretty big and other teams had to come to help, to take the stage.

 

”I think in the end, on the climb, we had four guys there to protect Tom, to do the chase. Tom was so strong, and that I didn’t expect.

 

“From Astana and Movistar, they are also fighting for GC, so we could expect something from them. But we stayed calm. Thomas Ludvigsson was still in the group and we stayed calm, they made a tempo, the gap wasn’t growing anymore, so everything was still under control.

 

“We expected more attacks, but after Nibali attacked, Tom felt that the moment was there, and he made an attack. In the end, he came back to Fuglsang and was fourth. It was a great result for the day and to keep the pink jersey.”

 

Kanstantsin Siutsou gives Dimension Data GC card in the Giro d’Italia

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka were protecting Merhawi Kudus and Kanstantsin Siutsou for the final climb, which began with around 18km to go. Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) attacked with 7km to go and Siutsou followed shortly after. Siutsou had to close a gap of around 30 seconds to Fuglsang but when he did, the duo went off in pursuit of the lead riders.

 

Siutsou and Fuglsang caught and passed all the riders up the road except for Wellens who went on to take a nice win. A few late attacks saw the main group thin out drastically and Zakarin, Pozzovivo and Dumoulin were able to come across to Siutsou and Fuglsang with 1km to go. The quintet crossed the line together with Siutsou taking a fine 5th place for the African Team, he also moved up to 10th on the overall GC. Igor Anton also did a really good ride after playing a support role to the Belorussian throughout the day, and he finished 16th to end off a good day for the African Team. 

 

Kanstantsin Siutsou said:
 

“It was a unique situation because normally Astana would start the final climb fast. When you see their 2nd rider attack, Fuglsang, and they normally ride for Nibali, you need to understand the situation. It was one I have seen many times before and nobody was following him because it was a reduced group. I wanted to follow him immediately but I didn't have space to move out of the group. So he had 30 seconds but I attacked and tried to control my pace when going across to him.

 

”When I reached him he tried to put me under pressure by going really hard but I just remained calm. The climb was very up and down and the flat piece was really windy but I was always focused and staying calm and patient, knowing the group behind are going to react soon because we had 45 seconds.

 

”Then we just went as hard as we could and waited to see who would arrive. Zakarin and Dumoulin came with 1km to go. I wasn't really feeling great in the last kilometers but then in the final when I had to close a small gap I could feel there was still something left in the legs.

 

”This was really good for the head, it showed me it is possible to stay in the front the next days, I just need to try.”

 

Domenico Pozzovivo: I could have done even better on a harder climb

"It was the first real mountain test. Although the finish was not very difficult, the leaders made ​​the difference and I was one the riders who were in the front,” Domenico Pozzovivo said.
 

”I've responded to the attack from the pink jersey (Tom Dumoulin) and then I lost a little more in the rolling part. The part that suited me most was that of the last four kilometers. Then I followed Dumoulin and I felt good. Then I tried to defend myself. To go for the GC was the goal. I was very well surrounded by my teammates today. I'm very happy.”

 

"In a more suitable finish, I could have done better. More than this was difficult because there was a nice piece of flats four kilometers from the finish. I think I played it well tactically. In the sprint I was certainly not one of the favorites among those in front, but I am happy to have gained a bit of ground on the other favorites.

 

“There was a strong headwind all stage and that’s why the stage was kind of blocked all day. The climb doesn’t allow for a big selection but then it kicked off. Dumoulin looked good and it was really hard for me to get across to him.”

 

Sports director Laurent Biondi added:

 

"This first mountain stage was relatively difficult, with the first major climbs. It was important for us to start to move up in the overall standings, which was done with Domenico (Pozzovivo) who finished sixth today and takes the thirteenth place overall. Overall the team works well. This bodes well for the future.”

 

Esteban Chaves had expected harder climb at the Giro d’Italia

Esteban Chaves of ORICA-GreenEDGE broke clear of his rivals in the final kilometre of stage six of the Giro d’Italia today finishing seventh on the stage and moving into eighth position overall as the first week of racing draws to a close.

 

Chaves made his move after the stage had been won by Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) who had attacked alone from the second breakaway group of the day and held on until the finish. The 2015 Tour of Abu Dhabi winner Chaves had a quick look around at his rivals before bursting clear to contest the sprint for the top ten and the advantage of a few valuable seconds.

 

The Colombian now sits in eighth position on the general classification as the race heads into tomorrow’s stage seven which will be likely to end in a bunch sprint on the flat finish in Foligno.

 

Sport director Matt White was pleased with the display of form from Chaves and the overall performance of the team.

 

“We are all really pleased with the how the race is going so far,” said White. “Esteban (Chaves) was feeling good going into the finale and it is never a bad thing to gain a few seconds where you can on a Grand Tour.

 

“Today was a little bit of a surprise in the sense that everyone expected the final climb to be harder than it actually was which was an important factor in how the stage was won.”

 

“We decided to test the water a little towards the end,” continued White. “The last breakaway had developed a good lead and we had a couple of digs at the front to bring the gap down a little but there wasn’t really any team wanting to commit fully to the chase.

 

“The team is very relaxed and confident going into stage seven, we are in good position and we are looking forward to the rest of the race.”

 

Rigoberto Uran off to a solid start in Giro d’Italia mountains

Rigoberto Uran delivered a solid performance on a rainy day in the Giro d'Italia mountains. The Cannondale leader put time into some of his challengers and limited losses to the contenders that came to the line just ahead of him. The results? Eighth place on the stage (1'33 behind solo stage winner Tim Wellens) and up to 11th overall (51" down on race leader Tom Dumoulin)

 

DS Fabrizio Guidi said: "The last climb was a strange climb. It was not too steep. It was windy. The risk was to attack and lose energy and suffer from a counter-attack, like we saw. We decided to wait and in the end, it was good. I think Rigo was good. We’ll wait until the next appointment."

 

“Rigoberto was at altitude just before the Tour de Romandie,” Davide Formolo It was a tough day for us but the Giro is still long and so I’m sure he’ll come good later and show it on some stages.”

 

Rafal Majka missed Dumoulin’s move in first mountain stage

Tinkoff’s leader at the Giro d’Italia, Rafal Majka, put in a strong ride today, showing he’s in good form and ready to challenge for the podium in Italy. On the race’s first mountain stage, the profile was up and down all the way, with no flat spots on which to recover. On the uphill finish on the second category Roccaraso climb, the Polish rider attacked late on in a bid to take time from his rivals, finishing ninth on the stage and moving up to 12th in the GC.

 

Sport Director, Tristan Hoffman, was concerned with what was to come late in the stage.

 

“The concentration for us today was on the last part of the race. We missed the move that went across to the original break, but the guys rallied around Rafal well and set him up for the last climb.”

 

The aim was to stay relaxed, and to wait until the final climb, which meant staying safe until then, as Hoffman explained.

 

“Early on, the first climb was steady. The break was up the road, so that was quite controlled, but over the top of the climb it was wet and quite dangerous and Movistar went full gas over the top and down the descent, which split the bunch, but again Rafal was there. Everything came back together after the downhill so there was no real stress.”

 

As the solo stage winner crossed the line, the race was still very much on behind, and a late attack from Majka saw him put some time into his rivals, and earnt him a top ten finish, taking ninth, which also saw him move up in the GC, into 12th position.

 

Hoffman was pleased with Majka and the team’s performance, racing until the very end of the stage.

 

“He missed the moment when Dumoulin attacked, which is a shame as I think he had the legs today, but then in the final he tried and showed that he's riding well. There was a tough head wind at the finish, which slowed him up, but it was a nice move. It was good to see that the boys hung in there for a long time today which is good for the coming stages - they've got good legs and this will be important on the tough stages to come.”

 

Stage 7 sees the race follow a more gentle profile. The 211km route covers two categorised climbs, the hardest, a second category, early on in the stage, before crossing a fourth category a little over 40km from the finish. A long descent to the finish in Foligno means this is another stage that will suit the sprinters, with plenty of time to regroup before the finish. Hoffman was clear that the objective would be to stay safe, unless an opportunity presented itself.

 

“Tomorrow should be more for the sprinters so other teams should take up the responsibility, and for us it will be another day to stay out of trouble and look after Rafal. If there's a good opportunity for a breakaway, we will see, but we don't want to needlessly waste energy.”

 

Alejandro Valverde: I was not feeling as good as I expectd

It was a "strange" day, as Alejandro Valverde categorized it, for the Movistar Team on stage six of the Giro d'Italia. Though the GC contenders couldn't fight for the win in the first mountain-top finish, claimed by an intelligent Tim Wellens (LTS), the Blues showed some of what could be in store from them in the key phase of the Italian grand tour.

 

In complicated weather conditions - drizzling rain through the first half of the route - and on lumpy roads over the 157km trek from Ponte to Roccaraso, Eusebio Unzué's squad took care very well of both Andrey Amador and Valverde. On the day's main descent, they even involuntarily split the peloton, coming really close to neutralising the first move from Zhupa (THA) and Bisolti (NIP), while on the approach to the line, good efforts from José Herrada and Javi Moreno kept the pace high before the decisive moves.

 

Nibali (AST), quickly reached down by SKY, anticipated an attack from race leader Tom Dumoulin (TGA), who went after earlier escapees Fuglsang (AST) and Siutsou (DDD) and took Zakarin (KAT) and Pozzovivo (ALM) on his wheel. All five put a dozen seconds into Alejandro Valverde's group, the Spaniard 10th over the line at 1'36" from Wellens. Valverde, who in turn added 7" to his advantage over Landa (SKY), overtook Nibali to become sixth overall: 41" behind Dumoulin, 15" in arrears of Fuglsang and 13" after Zakarin. Meanwhile, Amador, 20th today, sits now in sixteenth place in the GC, 1'11" from the pink jersey and 30" after his team-mate.

 

The Giro resumes Friday with another long stage, 211km between Sulmona and Foligno, more suited to sprinters, sort of a slight recovery en route to an exciting, demanding second weekend in the 'Corsa Rosa'.

 

Alejandro Valverde said:

 

"It was a day of contrasts. We had some heat, some cold, rain, even colder conditions on the descent of Bocca della Selva... we got to the front to avoid any crashes, but when you're leading the pack in such a tricky situation, with those wet roads, it's inevitable that the peloton splits and some people are left further behind. It wasn'a move to get people caught out of balance, but just a way of keeping ourselves safe.

 

”The stage got 'ironically' decided after that downhill: when Wellens and Ligthart attacked with Didier, everyone in the peloton pretty much agreed it had no sense to keep them on a leash, considering they were way back in the GC, so the stage-winning chances for the peloton ended there.

 

"In the finale, my body felt a little bit strange. It's not that I was doing bad on the climb, but I wasn't going as good as I'd have really liked. All in all, our deficit to Dumoulin at the line wasn't so significant, and we put some terrain into Landa and Nibali. I'm happy with the day's result.

 

”Dumoulin saying he wasn't coming for the GC? We all knew those quotes were only a means to distract the enemy. We're all sufficiently professional and we know how he's doing and what he's worth . He's doing great and he remains a rival to take pretty much into account."

 

Steven Kruijswijk: I can only blame myself that I didn’t follow Dumoulin

Everything is still going according to plan for Steven Kruijswijk after the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia, the first with a mountain top finish. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s leader finished 11th and maintained his fifth position in the general classification. Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) won the stage.

 

“Everything went as planned for Steven Kruijswijk,” Sports Director Addy Engels said. “You’re never sure about your level before the first mountain stage, but we’re looking strong. It’s good to see that Primoz Roglic, after recovering from his crash for two days, was again at his level. He stayed with Steven until the final four kilometres. If he’s able to hold that, he will be very useful for Steven in this Giro. That relaxes Steven, and that’s important.”

 

Kruijswijk already said after the fourth stage that he profited from the confidence of his team-mates.

 

“Today, the team brought him to the right position,” Engels continued. “We planned to be in front on the descent to the final climb and we succeeded. Our men sacrificed for Steven in that part and Primoz supported him afterwards.”

 

“The way the team is riding together is great,” Kruijswijk added. “All the guys are very strong and I never have to deliver too much. That makes it a lot easier for me. I have to do it by myself in the final part of the race and I feel good about the way I did so today. The only thing that I can blame myself for is that I wasn’t attentive enough when Tom Dumoulin (Giant - Alpecin) attacked. It wasn’t as steep at the end of the climb so I didn’t want to spend too much power on that part of the climb. I was expecting Astana to bridge towards the group with Dumoulin, as well. The damage isn’t too big anyway, so I’m satisfied about today.”

 

Friday’s stage seems to be another chance for the sprinters.

 

“There is a fourth categorised climb with 40 kilometres to go, but it goes across a very broad road,” Engels explained. “It won’t be too difficult to control the race so it should end up in a bunch sprint.”

 

Optimistic Bob Jungels defends white jersey in Giro d’Italia mountains

The group of favourites also included Bob Jungels, the Luxembourg champion who is riding the Giro d'Italia for the first time in his career and has been in the GC top 10 since the opening day, which scheduled a short invididual time trial. Although he lost some time on the challenging ramps of Roccaraso, he showed that he can stay with the best on a mountain top finish and extended his lead in the best young riders classification, which means that he will go into Friday's stage (Sulmona – Foligno, 211 kilometers) with a margin of 1:16 over second placed Davide Formolo (Cannondale).

 

One of the eight riders to join Etixx – Quick-Step in the winter, the 23-year-old victory opened his account in the blue and black kit of the team with a stage victory at the Tour of Oman, followed shortly by a GC podium in Tirreno-Adriatico; now, the Giro is a new step in his career, with the performances he got underlining once again the potential and versatility that were there for everyone to see since he was competing in the amateur races.

 

"It's been a really hard day. I was quite ok with the rain in the beginning, only thing that I found awkward was the super strong rhythm the bunch had on the first ascent. Then, because of the rain and the fog, it became very dangerous on the downhill, but I overcame also that hurdle. In the last 20 kilometers, we hit the climb at a very fast pace and I felt that I wasn't having my best day, the cold being the reason behind this. The result I got is a pretty good one and I am satisfied with it. I gained some time on the other riders in the white jersey rankings and also kept my place in the top 5 of the general classification. Now the next goal is to do a good time trial on Saturday", said Jungels, who's riding only his third Grand Tour.

 

"I think today a lot of things changed. It was the first real mountain stage where I think all of the favourites were on the limit. It was a tough day with the rain. Everyone was freezing on the downhill, so it’s been a tough day.

 

“I’m really happy to still be in this [white] jersey and to be up front in the GC, of course.

 

“It was the plan to work and stay safe. When you are riding in front then it is more safe than being behind. We’ve shown great things from the first day until now. I think we will just continue like this.

 

“Feeling-wise, I didn’t have my best day but when I looked at the results, I was not that bad. I’m happy right now.”

 

Mikel Landa: I didn’t have my best feelings

Mikel Landa limited his losses on a dramatic day at the Giro d'Italia and moved up one place on the general classification following a tough stage six.

 

Landa dug deep all the way to the line during a frantic last kilometre in Italy, as Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) rounded out the podium placings after Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) had soloed to a fine breakaway victory into Roccaraso.

 

Team Sky worked hard to shut down numerous late attacks and Mikel Nieve brought a dangerous burst from Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) back 3km from home.

 

Race leader Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) immediately counter-attacked in an attempt to preserve the maglia rosa and his attack proved to be more potent than Nibali's, as he forged a slim gap on the reduced bunch to come home fourth and maintain his GC lead. Landa's key lieutenants Nieve and Nicolas Roche finished just behind the Spaniard.

 

Speaking to TeamSky.com back at the bus Landa praised the work of his team-mates.

 

He said: "I'm happy with the work of the team. The guys are supporting me really well and they did a very good job again today."

 

And despite losing some seconds to Dumoulin, Landa doesn't believe they will be decisive in the hunt for the overall title.

 

He added: "Some riders might be earning some seconds now, but I don't think they will be too important in the overall battle to win the Giro.

 

“I didn’t have my best feelings today, for the last few days I’ve not been feeling too great. But thanks to the team I’ve managed to come through all right.

 

“It was a difficult stage but I’m optimistic about the future and I’m sure that in a couple of days I’ll manage to get better and get those great feelings back and be in the thick of the battle again.”

 

Ryder Hesjedal: It’s a good sign when I do so well this early

Ryder Hesjedal placed 15th, finishing with the group of overall contenders in the first major climbing test of the Giro d'Italia, while Laurent Didier joined a late attack that merged with an earlier breakaway and was granted an opportunity to fight for the stage win.

 

While the summit climb to end stage six was lengthy the gradient was relatively tame as it rolled its way upward with only a few steep pitches and a few flatter sections for respite; it was only in the last kilometers where gaps formed in the main group under attacks.

 

Hesjedal crossed the line with a small group 1 minute and 43 seconds after Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal), who soloed to the win from the breakaway.

 

"I am definitely happy with the day. It was a pretty hard day," said Hesjedal. "There were bad conditions on the long descent earlier with the rain and I can feel the tension building on a day like today, obviously with a mountain-top finish like that – the first real one of the race.

 

"Laurent had a spur of the moment feeling to join the attack by Wellens and it was great for him to push on and have a chance for the stage as you never know what can happen. It was good we were represented in the break.

 

"The team was excellent in taking care of me, and putting me in good position ahead of the last climb. Riccardo (Zoidl) was with me for the majority of the climb and he was able to help me. I was able to ride smart and more or less able to stay with everyone, minus a few. The last kick there before the line was definitely not suited to me, and I expect to give up a few seconds to some of the punchier guys after a day like that. No major losses and I felt like I was riding well. It's still early in the race for me so to get through a day like today is a good sign."

 

Laurent Didier frustrated to have missed big opportunity

Laurent Didier rode a strong race after marking a late key move by two Lotto Soudal teammates. The three joined forces with two earlier escapees and formed a five-man breakaway, only to see all but one absorbed on the long mountain climb that concluded the 157-kilometer stage.

 

Wellens countered a strong attack by Didier at the bottom of the final climb and managed to hold his advantage to the finish line while behind Didier gave a strong pursuit until he was eventually caught by the fast-approaching peloton containing the GC contenders.

 

"It was not planned," agreed Didier on his late escape. "I saw the two Lotto riders move up around two kilometers ahead of the feed zone and then they continued and I was in their wheels so I just went with them. I just followed actually because Wellens hadLigthart with him and he did most of the work.

 

"It was when got up to 9 minutes [gap] that I began to believe that we could make it for the stage [win]. When we started the climb we still had 6 minutes and when I saw the other two guys not willing to pull, I attacked. It was also to make my rhythm since I am not someone who can go with the changes in rhythm on a climb. But when Wellens passed me I could see he was clearly the strongest.

 

"When we came onto the big road with 12kms to go, I no longer had the legs; I could not do what I expect [I can do]. In the end, I was disappointed because it was a good chance. I seized an opportunity but came up with nothing - I just didn’t have the legs in the end to make a result."

 

After only one day in the mountains, Friday's stage seven will favor the fastmen again and another chance for the team with sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo. Hesjedal moved into 21st overall, and will get a few days to breathe before the next big GC test with an individual time trial Sunday.

 

Diego Ulissi: The final climb was not tackled in the way I had hoped

Diego Ulissi could defend himself properly, crossing the finish line in 19th position at 1'43" from Wellens.

 

"If you look at the way the final climb was tackled and the battle which started in the last four kilometers for the best climbers, I can look at my test with the knowledge that I defended myself well,” he said. 
”The step encouraged the climbers, not a rider like me who would have preferred a more regular rhythm to try an action in the final. 
 

”On the climb, the feelings were not great, the cold during the stage has certainly affected me but, if we look at the result, I think I did a good performance. 
 

”The stage was not easy to interpret because no team took the responsibility of the pursuit. Wegot in front of the pack to see if other teams would work together but, not getting any support, we decided not to continue all the work.”

 

Stefano Pirazzi: I understood that it was not my day

Bardiani had its three climbers Stefano Pirazzi (26th), Manuel Bongiorno (33rd) and home rider Giulio Ciccone (34th), the youngest Italian rider of the race, as top finishers, just behind the top riders’ group.

 

“The climb was not really steep but the pace we did was really fast,” said Pirazzi. “I also tried an attack but the group immediately caught me and I understood that it was not the right day.”

 

Team director Stefano Zanatta added:

 

“Today was a suited stage to our climbers and we wanted give them the opportunity to stand out. At the moment too many riders are in within short time in GC and there not many chances to attack. If you want to win with a breakaway, you have to go solo and do a really strong action like Wellens did”.

 

Bongiorno crashed 30 km from the finish, suffering a few abrasions on his elbow but nothing serious.

 

BMC regrets having missed breakaway in Giro mountains

For BMC, Darwin Atapuma stayed with the group of GC contenders until four kilometers to go, eventually finishing almost three minutes behind Wellens.

 

He said:

 

“Although it was a shorter stage, it was still really hard with the two climbs. I was feeling pretty good and the team did a good job to protect me as long as possible. I was in the group of GC guys on the final climb, but with around four kilometers to go I didn’t have the legs to stay with them. There are many more opportunities to test my legs on the climbs to come.”

 

Max Sciandri, Sports Director, added:

 

“Today we were hoping to get a rider in the breakaway again but the three riders who went away fairly early in the stage took everyone by surprise. The guys were putting their rain jackets on and everyone was fairly relaxed when they just went.

 

“On the climbs we tried to do what we could for Darwin, but he couldn’t quite hold on until the very end. It’s good to get the first of the climbing stages out of the way.”

 

Alessandro Bisolti goes from roof work to Giro action in two years

For Nippo-Vini Fantini, Alessandro Bisolti was in the escape and on the first GPM of the day (2nd category) he was first. In the next group, the first to pass on top was Damiano Cunegom keeping in this way the King of the Mountains jersey for the 3rd day.

 

The protagonist of the day was Alessandro Bisolti. He was without contract in 2014, and he was working on a roof with his father. In 2014 the NIPPO Vini Fantini was the only team to believe in him. In his first year with the orofessional team, he got the chance to be the last climber for Cunego, and today Alessandro Bisolti went close to realizing his pink dream.
 

Now he is third in the KOM classification, with Damiano Cunego as leader with 18 points. Bisolti has 16 points.

 

“What a pity,” he said. “When we started the last climb, I believed we could make it, I kept riding at my rhythm without responding to all the attacks of my competitors. In this way I got back to the Trek rider, but then I was done. If I start thinking about two years ago, it is incredible to be there!

 

"The hope was to get to the finish, I believed in it. After the descent I did not understand anything because I was really frozen. This has reshuffled everything a bit and then when Wellens and others caught us, I was a little confused. I tried to think about what could be better for us, but the energies were few and in the final the light switched off.

 

”Tomorrow I will be back to help my team leader Damiano Cunego, today I had my chance thanks to the team. I hope I will have another one.

 

Damiano Cunego added: “Somehow we managed to keep and consolidate the lead in the King of Mountains competition. My team-mate Alessandro Bisolti was in the break on the first climb and I took some points there [4]. A bit of luck was needed. Today I’m up there, tomorrow, who knows… A lot of athletes would like to have the Maglia Azzurra. It was a difficult day on the bike with some wind and rain, but then the sun came out.”