This Thursday, May 23, the eighteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia offered a new opportunity for the sprinters, following several challenging days in the Dolomites.
United around Madis Mihkels, their protected rider for the mass sprints, the Intermarché-Wanty team propelled the young 20-year-old Estonian to seventh place in the streets of Padua.
With this new placing against the best sprinters in the peloton, the 20-year-old Estonian records his fourth top 10 finish in this edition of the Giro, which is his first Grand Tour.
"Today was the penultimate sprint opportunity of the Giro and the team did a great job once more to enable me to grab my chance. My fourth top ten is a satisfying result, although I personally regret one decision during the last hectometers. During a moment of hesitation in the peloton, I chose to stay in Tim Merlier's wheel instead of going all out and surprise. I wasn't able to follow his ultimate acceleration, so seventh was the best possible result.” “After eighteen stages I still feel pretty good, despite the fatigue that has crept into my body for several days now. The discomfort after my crashes in the sixth and eleventh stages has greatly reduced, with the exception of my left hand, with which I cannot yet hold the handlebars optimally for the time being. I hope that I can survive the last two tough mountain stages in the same way as the previous ones, by joining a good group and not having to fear the time limit. My thoughts are already in Rome, where I hope to end my first Grand Tour on a high."
