Tadej Pogacar is Maglia Rosa: “A dream come true”

An absolute first, celebrated with great joy.

Tadej Pogacar è Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia 2024. A very first time for him, who had never before found himself in the position of the leader of the kermesse standings. His success in the 161-kilometer San Francesco al Campo-Santuario di Oropa (Biella) stage, the second of 2024, was decisive, at the end of which the Slovenian also wore the Maglia Azzurra, reserved for the leader of the Grand Prix of the Mountain.

"Today’s è a dream come true, an extraordinary joy. After winning in the Vuelta and the Tour, I was able to close the circle and achieve success in all the Grand Tours. Not è a thing for many", è was Pogacar’s hot statement just after receiving the first Pink Jersey of his life.

The stage win had, moreover, come for the UAE Team Emirates rider after a long series of setbacks, including a puncture and a crash. "I did not panic after the crash,” said Pogacar, “the team brought me back quickly. I accelerated after Rafal Majka's last breakaway and took a good margin. I was hoping to take the Maglia Rosa, from now I can relax for a few days".

In the general classification of the Giro d'Italia 2024 Pogacar is currently ahead of Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), second at 45". Third, with the same time, è Daniel Felipe Martinez (Bora – Hansgrohe). First Italian è Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana Qazaqstan Team), distant at the moment 1'05" from the ranking leader.