Tadej Pogacar exhibited a stellar performance in the individual time trial of stage seven at the Giro d’Italia, showcasing his dominance and extending his overall lead. The UAE Team Emirates rider conquered the 40.6km route from Foligno to Perugia with aplomb, surging ahead of his competitors after a formidable display by Filippo Ganna from Ineos Grenadiers.
Ganna had set a formidable benchmark with a time of 52 minutes and 1 second, appearing poised for victory until Pogacar accelerated in the latter part of the race. Despite trailing after the second intermediate checkpoint, the Slovenian rider made a remarkable comeback during the demanding ascent to the finish line, crossing it at 51 minutes and 44 seconds. His time was 17 seconds faster than Ganna’s, solidifying his grip on the maglia rosa and further asserting his dominance.
Magnus Sheffield of Ineos claimed third place, finishing 49 seconds behind the leader, while his teammate Geraint Thomas, who started the stage in second place overall, struggled and fell behind by two minutes, placing 10th.
The shift in standings saw Daniel Martínez of Bora-Hansgrohe ascend to second place overall, trailing Pogacar by 2 minutes and 36 seconds, while Thomas slipped to third, an additional 10 seconds behind. Thomas acknowledged his challenges, admitting he “lacked it a bit” during the stage.
Pogacar, showcasing exceptional form yet again, left his competitors in his wake, a pattern seen throughout the season. Reflecting on his performance, he commented, “I started a bit with an easier pace and had to get used to the TT bike and then I paced myself until the climb and then went full gas so I’m super-happy with today.” He emphasized the advantage the climb provided him, particularly its steep nature.
Looking ahead, Martínez and other general classification contenders will aim to rebound in the demanding 152km stage from Spoleto to Prati di Tivo on Saturday, seeking to challenge Pogacar’s dominance in the race.