Giro d'Italia, the special day of Diego Ulissi and Luke Plapp

Here are the words of Jayco AlUla’s Australian Luke Plapp and Diego Ulissi, rider of the’XDS Astana Team, respectively winner of stage 8, the Giulianova-Castelraimondo stage, and new pink jersey of the Giro d’Italia. Ulissi broke a pink jersey fast that had lasted four years and four days for Italy.

Luke Plapp: “Today is a special day for me. I had this stage in my sights for quite some time, however, it is one thing to aim to win, it is another thing to do it. I am not in top condition because of a wrist problem, I have been living with the pain for months, however, today I felt better.”

“I knew that it was necessary to find the right moment to start and when I did I decided to pull straight even though there were many kilometers to go to the finish. The fact that I got unstuck in Greece a few days before the Giro gave me awareness in my means, and I hope this victory is just the’beginning”.

“Normally I am not a person who gets too excited. However, when I saw the Pink Jersey, and I thought back to my whole career, I was moved. It’s the realization of the dream I had since I was a kid. It&#8217s not trivial to be at a high level at almost 36 years old, but I think I have always shown that I&#8217m competitive, even last year.

“The best part was the last few miles. The little radio wasn&#8217t working, or maybe the Sports Directors chose not to tell me the gaps so I wouldn&#8217t get sidetracked. However, I could hear the people on the roads cheering me on to push because I could wear the Pink Jersey. I don’t know how many days I will remain leader, however, I know that I have worked so hard to wear it and I will honor it as long as I can. Besides, it will be great to ride on the roads of my Tuscany with this symbol on”.