Exactly one year after his first Giro d’Italia stage victory, Jonathan Milan repeated the feat, but this time proudly representing the Lidl-Trek colors.
Having come agonizingly close to victory yesterday, Milan was hungry to go one better on Stage 4. Lidl-Trek assumed responsibility to control the stage, with Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier doing an exceptional job for his team, mile after mile at the head of the peloton. The tension increased as the route snaked along the iconic Ligurian coast, familiar for viewers of Milan – Sanremo, before an explosion of action on Capo Mele. Filippo Ganna (Ineos), a compatriot and teammate of Milan from the Italian track squad, attacked on the small climb, which lead to a flurry of counters. All were hoovered up quickly by the infernal pace in the peloton, except Ganna, whose time trialling prowess was on full display. Fortunately, Lidl-Trek had the absolute commitment of an entire team prepared to empty themselves for the singular goal of setting up Milan for the sprint.
Ganna was caught 700 meters from the line by Simone Consonni, as he expertly piloted Milan into position before pulling to the side. From there, it was all down to the Italian powerhouse, who launched his recognizable sprint alongside Olav Kooij (Visma). Milan edged ahead, stamping on the pedals and pulling on the handlebars with every bit of strength available to him. Despite the royal cast of sprinters vying for the win, no-one could catch Jonathan Milan.
n addition to the stage win, Milan becomes the new wearer of the Maglia Ciclamino, the points jersey.
Reaction from Jonathan Milan
“There are so many emotions now. I said from the beginning that we came here with one goal, for everyone. So, today, the guys did an amazing job, it’s such an amazing sensation to win again here in the Giro d’Italia. I really have to say thanks always to my teammates, they first believed in this day. Also, today is really special because my parents are here. I’m really happy about it, it’s just an amazing sensation! I also want to say thanks to the people watching me from home that were really close to me in this period. Thanks to everyone.
“It’s always special with a team victory like this. We have many emotions now in this moment. Yesterday, the victory was very close. Today, we made it together. We were really looking for this, we deserve this, and we came here for this. This is a real team victory, so I always have to give a huge thanks to my teammates and of course to all the staff who are making so much effort for us and still have to do it for many other days. This is for all of them.
“It was not full panic [when Ganna attacked], but I was a bit scared, I have to say. He is able to do four nice minutes of power. In any case, my guys really kept it under control.
For sure it’s super special to win in front of my family.”
Stage 4
1 Jonathan MILAN LIDL-TREK 4:16:03 0:10 0:00
2 Kaden GROVES ALPECIN – DECEUNINCK 4:16:03 0:06 0:00
3 Phil BAUHAUS BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 4:16:03 0:04 0:00
GC
1 Tadej POGACAR UAE TEAM EMIRATES 15:19:05 0:00
2 Geraint THOMAS INEOS GRENADIERS 15:19:51 0:46
3 Daniel Felipe MARTINEZ BORA – HANSGROHE 15:19:52 0:47
