The quiet but destructive force of Bart Lemmen was in full effect on the Passo Giau on Friday

Visma | Lease a Bike once again impressed throughout Friday’s Giro d’Italia queen stage. That did not only apply to Sepp Kuss, Jonas Vingegaard and Davide Piganzoli, but certainly also to Tim Rex and Bart Lemmen. The pair did some impressive turns on the front, with Lemmen speaking about it afterwards to NOS.

Lemmen did not have a flawless build-up to the Giro, but delivered when it mattered on Friday. After his turn on the front on the Passo Giau, there were only ten riders left in his wheel/ in the group of favourites.

“The history of the Giro has shown that the final weekend can be tricky, so in the team bus we said we had to be better than ever. Even if we could ride defensively,” he said.

“I think that is how it went. We all rode at the top of our capabilities,” the Dutchman said. “And the fact that Sepp wins as well is a very nice cherry on top. I heard it through my earpiece, but the higher we go, the harder that connection gets. I always ask people by the roadside how things are going. I quickly realised it was going to happen.”

Lemmen himself also raced perfectly. “It sounds stupid, but you have to remember that Wilco Kelderman was still meant to be there too. If we had not lost him... we really had a super-strong team here and we can be incredibly proud of how we raced these stages. One more day to go, because we are feeling good,” Lemmen explained, with Piganzoli still in his hopes for white.

Sports director Marc Reef also spoke to NOS, but he is still refusing to draw conclusions. “We have always said before and during the Giro that anything can happen and that we have to stay focused. We did that very well, by keeping control of the breakaway.”

“Several GC riders tried to get up the road and did get there, but for us everything was under control,” Reef continued. “Also because we have a very strong team. Tim Rex and Bart Lemmen had a super day, and that allowed us to keep everything under control.”

Kuss’ victory made the celebration complete. “He joined us a few years ago, and in eight of the nine Grand Tours we have won, he has been involved. He is always ready for the team, and now the chance was there. Now the priority is the pink jersey, and then we want to celebrate in Rome.”

Even UAE were lending a hand to the Visma train, as Arieta paid a compliment to Lemmen and co's effort by cooling them off with some water. Video below.