Mail Online

Thomas runs out of grunt as Giro slips

GERAINT THOMAS suffered Giro d’Italia heartbreak yesterday when he had the leader’s pink jersey ripped from his shoulders by rival Primoz Roglic on the penultimate day of the race.

Thomas, who had a 26-second advantage over Roglic going into the 18.6km time trial, saw it wiped out on the brutal climb up the Monte Lussari.

Roglic, riding just across the border from his home country of Slovenia, overcame a mechanical problem to win the stage in style, earning him a 14-second edge over the Welshman ahead of the last day’s processional run to Rome.

And a gracious Thomas had no complaints, saying he ran out of ‘grunt’ when it mattered most.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider said: ‘I could feel my legs going a kilometre and a half from the top. I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses but I just didn’t feel like I had that real grunt.

‘I guess it’s nice to lose by that much rather than a second or two. At least he smashed me and to be honest he deserves that.’

The 37-year-old had been on course for just a second grand tour triumph, five years after winning the Tour de France, after a superb three weeks in the saddle. And he would have thought his luck was in when three-time Vuelta a Espana winner Roglic lost his chain after he ran over a pothole.

But the Slovenian had already put time into Thomas when that happened and the incident seemed to galvanise him.

Roglic said: ‘For sure you don’t want these things to happen but it’s part of racing.

‘One more day to go. It’s not over until it’s over but it’s looking good.’

Tennis

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2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/283287462022091

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