Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) – stage winner
“It’s pretty good. At the moment it’s not so easy to realise but I’m super happy with this victory of course. I knew that I had good legs today; I was good in the climbs. Also, in the final climb I tried but it was a bit longer than I expected but then in the downhill I was in a good position. The sprint was perfect. I was on the wheel of [Dominico] Pozzovivo and I started the sprint in the perfect position.”
“Actually, it was the first sprint I’ve won in a race like this. It’s great and a stage in the Giro is incredible and in front of these guys is incredible.”
Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
“We were lucky to get unscathed through such a difficult momento with the crash, after such difficult descents, with the Bergamo Alta climb made so narrow by the fans… Happily, I could reach the finish without any other problems. Initially, when I got back on my feet after the crash, I was going with another team-mate’s bike – that’s why we decided to stop again, get mine back and have my team-mates bringing me back to the front of the group without major problems. At the final sprint I tried to go with an ‘intelligent’ approach, attempting to surprise our rivals, but with such a powerful rider as Jungels, it was difficult to take the win.”
Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb)
“Today has shown that there aren’t going to be anymore rest days for the GC contenders. I expected today to be a little bit easier but it was a really fast and hectic stage. The breakaway went late and there were lots of attacks in the final. The team stayed calm throughout everything and we were there when we needed to be so it was a good day.”
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida)
“I felt well and so I wanted to try something in the finale, that suited me” explains the Shark speaking after the finish in Bergamo “Indeed the last climb up to the upper city was good for a sleight of hand. But as I expected my rivals did not let me go. Anyway I’m happy about my attempt. I’m ready for the final week of the Giro”.
Adam Yates (Orica-Scott)
“I didn’t quite have it in the sprint,” Yates explained at the finish. “I felt good in the finale but Jungels is a good 10kg heavier than me and I couldn’t match his power.
“I hit out just after 300metre to go, but perhaps I went too early. I hit the front in the final 50metres before everyone flew past me. Congratulations to Bob Jungels though, it was a good victory.”
Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo)
“It was perfect today,” said Mollema. “I think as a team we did a really good job. Before the first climb already with Mads (Pedersen) and Jasper (Stuyven) who brought all the climbers in a good position at the front, and then in the finale with Jesus (Hernandez) and Pete (Stetina).
“The last climb was steep and narrow and you needed a good position. I was there, and I felt much better than yesterday. It was a really hard day; it took a few hours until the break finally went, but I think we did a really good job today.”
Ben Hermans (BMC)
“The start was really hectic. I think two breakaways were gone and they were both caught and then there was a third one that succeeded. Finally, we averaged something like 45km/hour for the whole stage so it was a really hard stage. I think we almost caught the breakaway in the descent before the Selvino climb but then Nairo Quintana crashed so we all waited.”
“The final part was really hard. Everyone went all in. I just couldn’t follow the wheels. Tejay van Garderen was with me and he tried to limit the time loss. 25 seconds is not too much and for sure other GC guys were even behind me. I’m feeling good. Of course, everybody was feeling tired today and it was a hard stage for everyone. But, I’m looking forward to the mountains and I hope to be up there and maybe play with minutes in my favour and not seconds in time loss.”
