Uijtdebroeks and O’Connor expect explosive final at Oropa: “Hope to follow Pogacar”

Cian Uijtdebroeks and Ben O’Connor are looking forward to the first uphill finish in the Giro d’Italia. A mountain stage to Oropa is already planned on the second day, with a focus on top favorite Tadej Pogačar. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale leader O’Connor hopes he can follow the Slovenian when he attacks.

“I expect a very explosive final. They will probably already ride the climbs at a good pace, so there will certainly be time differences at the finish,” Uijtdebroeks expects in conversation with Eurosport. The Visma climber | Lease a Bike, fourteenth in the first stage, does not yet want to say that he is going for a classification. “We’re going to take it day by day and give it our all. I want to get better and learn, that’s why I’m mainly here.”

There was already bad news for the Dutch team this morning, as Robert Gesink had to retire with a fracture in his hand after a crash in the opening stage. “That’s pretty shit, now there are only seven of us,” Uijtdebroeks responds. “Robert was also one of the climbers in the team, so that’s not fun. It’s a shame, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

‘Hopefully I can follow Pogačar’
Ben O’Connor was nineteenth on Saturday and finished in the first favorite group, ten seconds behind Tadej Pogačar. “The first day is always tricky, it’s different for each person. I often have some trouble getting started, that’s why I’m happy that I rode well yesterday,” said the Australian, who competed at Eurosport looking forward to Oropa. “Hopefully I can Pog follow when he attacks. I’m going to try to ride my best climb and then I’ll see where it ends up.”