Ciccone irritated with rival team after a strong ride: 'Even today they wouldn't let me go'

Giulio Ciccone looked for a long time as though he might pull off something remarkable in stage nine of the Giro d'Italia. The Lidl-Trek rider made a late bridge across to the breakaway, only to be overhauled on the final climb by the GC contenders. Afterwards, Ciccone's frustration was entirely understandable.

Ciccone had tried to get into the day's escape from the very flat opening phase, with the help of his tall, powerful teammate Max Walscheid. The German's work proved insufficient to get him clear, and that rankled with the Italian afterwards. "Even today they wouldn't let me ride," Ciccone said, speaking to Eurosport — a reference to the fact that he had dropped out of the top of the GC the previous day. "The Decathlon riders kept bringing me back. I used up a lot of energy trying so many times."

Despite the setbacks, Ciccone refused to let his head drop. Later in the stage he jumped across to the front group with a handful of riders. "I had nothing to lose — I made the bridge on the small climb. But that effort also cost me a great deal."

On the final climb, Ciccone launched his attack. Einer Rubio was initially able to follow, but the Lidl-Trek rider eventually shook the Colombian off. "I still felt strong and gave everything. The lead was too small, though. I also felt the earlier efforts in my legs. It was a good attempt."

Despite the disappointment, Ciccone is already looking ahead with clear ambition. "Maybe if the climbing starts from the very beginning of a stage, it will be easier for me to get away. The peloton also finds it harder to control on those kinds of stages. Either way, it will be more favourable for me."