By David Williams
Geraint Thomas drew consolation from his move into second place – later upgraded to first – in the general classification at the Giro d’Italia after a heartbreaking denial of a stage win.
The Welsh star overtook Primoz Roglic to go second, 45 seconds back on pre-race favourite Remco Evenepoel and two seconds ahead of Slovenia’s Roglic.
But Evenepoel then abandoned the Giro with Covid-19 shortly after the world champion had regained the race lead with victory in a rain-affected 35km individual time trial on Sunday.
It left 36-year-old Thomas leading the tour.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that I will be leaving the Giro d’Italia due to Covid-19 after taking a routine test, which unfortunately was positive,” Evenepoel, who had regained the Maglia Rosa by winning Sunday’s individual time trial, said in a statement.
A dramatic stage nine time trial saw Evenepoel initially reclaim the Giro pink jersey after edging out Thomas by a single second.
Wales’ former Tour de France winner looked to have done enough when he beat fellow Briton and Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Tao Geoghegan Hart by the same margin in the 35-kilometre race from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena on Sunday afternoon.
But Evenepoel flew out of the traps and, despite appreciably slowing after the first time check, the Belgian had enough in the tank to pip Thomas by crossing the line in 41 minutes and 24 seconds.
https://twitter.com/VelonCC/status/1657789798642270208?s=20
Evenepoel, who led the general classification for the first three stages, was then back in pink ahead of Monday’s rest day, with Thomas his closest challenger.
“There’s still two weeks to go, but as a team we’re in a strong position and hopefully we can use that strength now,” said Thomas.
As for whether he is a potential winner, Thomas added: “For sure, that’s been the objective since the start of the year, and it’s definitely been an up and down, stop-start.
“But I managed to get it right just about and we’ll see how the rest of the race goes.
“It’s the story of my career, proving people wrong, everyone always doubts me and it’s nice to be getting better.”
“I’m feeling better, it’s just day by day. I’ll just keep doing the right things now and we’ll stay in our own little world, own little bubble and do what you do.
“So far, so good. But never take anything for granted in this game, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Geraint Thomas moved into second place overall at the Giro d’Italia with a vintage time-trial performance as Remco Evenepoel reclaimed the Pink Jersey from Andreas Leknessundhttps://t.co/PQnQiGgBTx
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) May 14, 2023
Thomas remains without a stage win at the Giro and reflected ruefully on his fourth runner-up finish in the event’s time trial, having come second twice in 2012 and once in 2017.
“It’s nice to be getting better, but to be so close to the win kind of hurts,” he said.
“A few too many seconds for my liking, but it’s good to be in it anyway. Myself and Teo right up there looks good for the next part of the race.”
Remco Evenepoel out of Giro d'Italia following COVID-19 positive
Race leader withdraws 'with a heavy heart' after stage 9 time trialhttps://t.co/PUixVAv3R0
— Cyclingnews (@Cyclingnewsfeed) May 15, 2023
Evenepoel said: “I started too fast and my second part wasn’t that great.
“I found some better legs in the technical part because I could recover a bit. I wasn’t feeling too well in the second part with the head wind. It’s another stage win, but it wasn’t my best time trial.
“To go to the mountains with the advantage I have now is pretty good, but Ineos for sure will have some plans to attack me.
“But we have a strong team and a lot of confidence. I will have to recover well because my last two stages weren’t my best days. Firstly I want to enjoy this victory.”
Team Jumbo–Visma rider Roglic sits third in the general classification, 47 seconds adrift of the lead, with Hart fourth, a further three seconds back.
Previous leader Andreas Leknessund now sits in sixth place overall.
— Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) May 14, 2023