Nat Bromhead
Aussie pocket rocket Caleb Ewan has won a second stage at the first Grand Tour of the year, the Giro d’Italia.
Ewan, a former NSW Southern Highland’s junior, beat Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) in a bunch kick to take his second stage victory in five days. Surging to victory after a 221kilometres stage between Carpi and Novi Ligure, Ewan came off Ackermann’s wheel sprinted to his second stage victory.
“Today’s stage wasn’t too hard to ride,” Ewan said. “It takes a little bit out of the legs but compared to some of the other stages. We did not choose for a full lead-out because we knew there was going to be a headwind sprint.”
“Because of the headwind, it felt like a long sprint but it was really well-timed. To get your timing right was crucial today, more so because of the headwind than of the slightly uphill finish, so I really wanted to wait as long as possible.”
Focus Turns To Tour de France
With high mountains and the Queen stage of the race ahead, Caleb Ewan is now leaving the Giro to focus on preparations for the Tour de France.
“I am happy that I came to the Giro,” Ewan said. “The succession of the long and sometimes challenging stages will have done me good, condition-wise.
“I am going home with a great feeling – I came into the Giro and I really wanted to win one stage. To get two is more than I expected. I will take some days of rest now and then go on a training camp to prepare for the Tour.”
