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Jarno Widar climbs to 2nd place in GC Giro Valle d'Aosta

Jarno Widar finished third in the queen stage of the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta-Mont Blanc. He is now second in the GC. "We can't control the race, which is why second place is a comfortable position."
Race 19 July 2024
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Stage three of the Giro Valle d'Aosta was marked by two particularly challenging climbs. The first on the schedule: the climb to Verrogne, which spans 13.4 kilometers at 7.4%. The second: the even tougher Col San Carlo, a solid 11.3 kilometers at 9.2%. The riders faced the Pré Saint Didier as a final hurdle, with 3 kilometers at 6.7%. Today's victory went to Joshua Golliker (Groupama-FDJ), but the real battle took place behind Golliker and Juan Guillermo Martinez (Q36.5 Continental Team), the day's runner-up. Jarno Widar and the Italian Ludovico Crescioli were fighting for the new leader's jersey in the general classification. They crossed the line together on the Col San Carlo, leaving Widar to still acknowledge Crescioli as his superior. He takes the leader's jersey from Kazakh Ilkhan Dostiyev. Jarno Widar, who finished third in the stage, is now in second place in the GC, six seconds behind.

The Lotto Dstny Devo team remains in Italy with only two riders left. Victor Vaneeckhoutte had to leave the Giro due to knee problems, Mauro Cuylits is ill, and Milan Donie is overtired. "Only Kamiel Eeman and Jarno are still in the race," says sports director Wesley Van Speybroeck. "That makes racing difficult. We have to think tactically, be cautious, and wait for the right moments. Our goal was to win a stage. That hasn't happened yet, but we are now second in the GC. Nothing was mandatory, we told Jarno beforehand. But now he's getting excited again. Being in second place is not a bad position. With only two riders left, we can't control the race, so second is the most comfortable place. We'll see what the weekend brings. We'll try to win again. If the overall victory is still within reach after tomorrow, we can still go for it."

The climbing classic Giro Valle d'Aosta continues until Sunday. Two more tough climbing stages are scheduled for tomorrow and the day after.

 

Picture: Jens Van Gyseghem