Lidl-Trek miss out with Ciccone and see Gee-West lose time: 'I was flying on that climb'
CyclingSaturday, 09 May 2026 at 20:21
Lidl-Trek came close again on stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia, just as they had on day one — but again, fortune didn't fall their way in Bulgaria. Giulio Ciccone finished third on the stage, but it is the heavy crash and time loss suffered by Derek Gee-West that will sting the team most.
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First to Gee-West, who was caught up in the horrifying crash in the finale. The Canadian — easy to spot in his red-and-white national champion's jersey — was stationary at the roadside for some time, but was eventually able to continue. With the race neutralised, Gee-West was also able to return to the peloton.
Once the race director restarted the stage, however, Netcompany INEOS immediately went full gas for bonus seconds, before Visma | Lease a Bike ramped up the pace again on the final climb. Gee-West couldn't hold on and was shed early on the ascent.
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Gee-West can still smile despite losing over a minute
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Eventually, though, the Canadian's diesel engine came back to life. We caught occasional glimpses of him working his way from group to group — but by the summit, his deficit to the by-now-vanished Jonas Vingegaard was fairly substantial. "I was flying on that climb," Gee-West said with a laugh at the finish.
Gee-West crossed the line in a group that finished 1 minute 1 second down on the winner. It is the first significant time loss of the race for Lidl-Trek's GC leader — but it could have been a great deal worse.
"Derek and Max Walscheid have been checked at the bus, and at this point it looks like both will be able to start stage 3," the team confirmed. They did add a note of caution, however — a night's sleep can sometimes bring things to the surface that aren't immediately apparent.
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Ciccone almost gives Lidl-Trek something to smile about
A minute ahead of Gee-West's group, Lidl-Trek were still fighting for the stage win. With Vingegaard and his companions beginning to play a waiting game, a large chase group came back, and Ciccone was part of it. The Italian had just failed to make the connection with the Vingegaard group on the climb, but sprinted to third place.
"It was a strange finale. First we stopped, then it wasn't clear whether we were racing again. And then suddenly there was that incredibly explosive climb," said Cicco afterwards. "We went all-out and it's a shame about the result at the line. Above all I just hope everyone is okay, because it was a nasty crash."
Ciccone said he wasn't entirely surprised the crash happened. "The roads were filthy — there was mud everywhere — and then there's the stress in the peloton in the opening days of a Grand Tour..."
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Latest Comments
- The only cyclist who can beat Tadej is Tadej.
Brucegel09-05-2026 - Enough of this b.s. already.Just tell the world all you suspicious people what would satisfy you that he is not doping.live real time urinating and testing?.Live real time blood draws 5 seconds after a race is over?.Fecal analysis.WTF will satisfy you?Brucegel03-05-2026
- This suspicion could be laid to rest by what? What would make all doubters happy that Pogi is clean? Just tell the world all you Frenchmen et al what you want as protocol.You will never be satisfied.That is your level of mindless groundless suspicions.Brucegel03-05-2026
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- To lose a race like that on a mechanical problem in this day and age is unforgivable. Why aren't all riders using the same (interchangeable) gear? It is the job of the team manager to manage and reduce risk variables. The fact that he not only didn't pick up on the potential issue but actually ok'd it is just madness.fatehasfans13-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
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