What a sight it was! The runner-up in the standings, Geraint Thomas, took a turn in front during the final moments of the race. Not for himself or for a teammate. For a friend, he said in the post-race flash interview.
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That friend was Mark Cavendish, the eventual winner of the mass sprint in the streets of Rome. "I was there and saw that he only had Luis Léon (Sánchez, ed.) with him. I thought, I'll help out a friend," said Thomas.
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However, the most beautiful moment was saved for last, when Thomas and Cavendish encountered each other after the finish. The heartfelt embrace between the friends is truly touching to witness.
Thomas also reflected on his own Giro. "It has been beautiful and emotional," he said contentedly. "It has been a magnificent race. We had an amazing team with the guys. I really enjoyed it. I may be 37, but I feel at least 27."
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
Well, if I couldn’t win, I thought I might as well try and help an old mate out. Call it an early retirement pressie @MarkCavendish 🤣 Chapeau mate 👌 #Giro