Giro d’Italia – Stage 18 – Sylvain Chavanel «I worked hard to get into the break, but I am still happy with my sprint for third place»

The warm sun gave the riders ideas at the Giro d’Italia today.  Once again, the peloton allowed a successful break to form from which the stage winner eventually emerged. Philippe Gilbert (BMC) won his second Giro stage solo after attacking his breakaway companions, which is a specialty of his.  Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) found a way to impress the world further by increasing his lead over Landa and Aru after dropping them on the main climb of the day. 

As for IAM Cycling, the day ended better than it began.  That’s because Jérôme Pineau was forced to withdraw from the Giro after a few kilometers on account of a virus causing a digestive disorder forcibly sidelined him.  On the flip side, his compatriot and friend, Sylvain Chavanel, found his way into the breakaway and ended the day with a fantastic 3^rd place.  This fourth podium of the three week tour, which includes two second places and two third places, reconfirms the Swiss squad’s value in the WorldTour.

Having already taken second at the summit of the Abetone climb on the fifth stage, Chavanel, the multiple time trial champion of France, managed to make the most of his experience.  “I worked hard to get into the break, but I am still happy with my sprint for third place.  You need to have some luck in a final like this.  But I really wanted to be at the front again today.  It was no easy task since we were riding at an average speed more than 48km/h in that first hour.  After that, the stage was quieter, but I was surprised with how hard the climb was.  I managed my efforts with Philippe Gilbert and Rinaldo Nocentini, and then we really went balls to the wall on the descent to join up with the leading group.  With two BMC riders in the break, our task was always going to be hard, and then add in the fact one was Gilbert, who attacked with his usual temperament.”

Nevertheless, Chavanel is not too surprised to be feeling strong in the third week.  “I came to the Giro with the desire to do well, though I have not made any special preparations.  I have progressed over the days, but I am amazed at how difficult this race is.  The average speeds in the stages are far from easy, and you have to fight to get into every break, despite the mountainous profile.   I’m happy with how I feel and after the finish in Milan, I will take a few days rest before leaving to train at altitude in Font-Romeu in preparation for the Tour de France.”

Jérôme Pineau was not happy after having had to abandon due to serious digestive problems.  “I’ve suffered from the beginning.  I’ve never felt comfortable.  And for the last two days I have experienced stomach problems.  It was impossible to continue fighting as long as I can’t digest anything, and cannot feed myself properly.  Add to that, this Giro has been very strenuous.  This race has compared to some of the most difficult three week tours I’ve ever done in my 17 grand tours.  It is right up there with the Tour de France years dominated by US Postal.  Now I’ll go home and try to recover well enough to be ready for my next races beginning with the GP Aargau at Gippingen.”