Marc Hirschi won on Sunday with great attentiveness in the rain in Italy, but his leader and UAE teammate Tadej Pogacar was more focused on the results of the Tour of Britain. There, his compatriot Matevž Govekar won in a sprint, which meant journalists on site had to be corrected. First, the GP Industria & Artigianato, which was won by Hirschi in pouring rain. The Swiss rider from UAE-Team Emirates confirmed afterward that he was both very attentive and a bit fortunate when the organizers decided to shorten the course with a local lap in the final. "Due to the rain, it was difficult to communicate via radio, but fortunately, it worked when it became clear that a lap was being cut," said Hirschi.
"There was some chaos at that point, with several riders wanting to stop. However, we decided to go full throttle with the group that was still ahead,' continued the in-form UAE rider. 'On the final climb, I attacked, which allowed the riders up front to finish where they would have with an extra lap. It was a good decision to cut a lap."
Read more below the photo.
Pogacar stern with journalists in Great Britain, where Williams won
In Great Britain, the
Tour of Britain was also underway.
Stephen Williams saw his leader's jersey remain safe thanks to a flat stage with a mass sprint. "It was quite an easy day, with few open sections to split the group in the wind. We had to stay positioned at the front, as there were moments when it was
all hands on deck. In the final, we went for Ethan (Vernon, ed.), and I think we did well for him. Unfortunately, he was beaten at the line," said the overall winner in a
press release from Israel-Premier Tech.
Vernon was beaten by Matevž Govekar, the 24-year-old Slovenian from Bahrain Victorious. It was Govekar's second win of the season, having also won a stage in the Tour of Antalya. However, winning the Tour of Britain was a different achievement. Tadej Pogacar confirmed this on his
social channels, stating, "What the heck, what a win for Matevž." The Giro and Tour winner of this year also had a note for the journalists on-site: "It's GOVEKAR, not Govečkar."