The 26-year-old Dutch time trial specialist is often seen riding in support of his team leaders but on Stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia it was Daan Hoole’s time to truly shine as he stepped onto the podium himself after winning the 28.6-kilometer-long time trial from Lucca to Pisa and securing the first Grand Tour stage win of his career.
Daan Hoole:
“This is an unbelievable feeling. Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I can’t believe it. I am so happy and full of emotions. It’s crazy. I had a lot of messages from people before the finish telling me congratulations but I didn’t want to think about it, I wanted to wait until the last rider was finished and then I could celebrate. Even Simone [Consonni] and Jonny [Milan] called me and were telling me to enjoy my time in the hot seat and just telling me I did a good TT. They are good friends of mine and it was so nice to see that they were so happy for me, it means a lot.
“It is crazy to win a Giro d’Italia stage. I was aiming for this day and I was feeling good all week but, to win, I never thought I would do this. In time trials, I always get the chance to go for my own result and the Team support me fully so that’s super nice and I think everyone is super happy for me. We can have another good celebration tonight.
“Of course, the GC guys had rain and that changed a lot but I am still happy that I could beat [Josh] Tarling [INEOS Grenadiers] in more or less the same conditions. It’s an insane feeling, and I honestly don’t know what to say. I was surprised to beat him. He is one of the best time trial riders in the world and I think, he started super fast so when I saw his first intermediate time I was thinking it was going to be hard to beat him but I did a good second part of the race and that’s where I took some time back on him and he exploded a little bit. A victory in the Giro is so special and I am so happy. I want to thank the Team, my coach, everyone, my parents and my brother. I just don’t know what more to say.”
STAGE 10 RESULTS
1 – Daan Hoole (Lidl-Trek) – 28.6 km in 32’30”, av speed 52.800 km/h
2 – Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) at 7″
3 – Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) at 10″
GC
1 – Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
2 – Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) at 25″
3 – Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) at 1’01”
