Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) – stage winner
“This win has probably brought me more joy than any other,” Ewan said at the finish. “Everyday I didn’t get a win, I felt the pressure build so to finally get the victory it feels pretty good.”
“This is the best way to repay my teammates who have been working so hard for me. We went early, but that was the plan, and they just stayed so confident and so calm. They did a fantastic job today.”
“It was probably one of the more hectic finals I’ve done at the Giro,” Ewan said. “We knew we wanted to be in front in those final corners so I hit out earlier than I usually would. It meant I could take the best line to the finish and luckily I held on.”
“Even after the past days I knew it wasn’t my form that was in doubt, I just needed a bit of luck. Today the team were awesome again and all I had to do was that last sprint to the line.”
Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors)
“That final kilometer was hectic and really technical, but Ewan did a great sprint and deserved to win. I was boxed in at one point, but made use of my track skills and came to the front, taking second in the end. Giving that I was far back when the sprint started, this is a good result, one which helps me stretch my lead in the maglia ciclamino standings. I am happy the legs were there and will see what the next stages will bring”, said Gaviria.
Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe)
“It was a hectic and really a tricky final. I really dont know what happened but the boys did really a great job and I want to thank them. We are a pretty young group here but we work so good together and today it was really close to the win.”
Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo)
“It was a good day to recover a bit. In the first intermediate sprint my legs felt like they exploded and I was not thinking so positive. I was just trying to limit the losses let’s say. But then the climb was good, and I was able to feel good and stay in the front, so I think the little sprint opened up the legs.”
“The finale was really crazy: corners left, right, little kicks up and down,” explained Stuyven. “I gambled a little bit today to not be in the wind, just following wheels and trying to hold them. I think I was good in the last corner and those were the positions at the finish line, minus the leadout guys. I am more than happy with the 5th place especially after yesterday.”
Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) – race leader
“All the finals are pretty tricky. it was a nice day then the last 10km were pretty crazy. We had to take a lot of risks and sometimes a lot of risks for nothing.”
Giuseppe Fonzi (Wilier Triestina)
“It was a hard day out, especially because there were only two of us. We also spend a long time out front with some head orside wind but that’s all part of it.”
“Of course it was also a great day out. People shouted my name whenever we rode past a ground and so that turned it in to a nice day too. The Giro is long as they say, so we’ll keep trying to do something.”
