Giro d'Italia

Josef Cerny left a solid impression on the last stage of the season’s first Grand Tour after going in the breakaway on the flat circuit through the historic center of Rome and surviving at the front of the race until the closing six kilometers, when only a huge effort of the peloton reeled him in.

The 32-year-old Czech, who was riding the Corsa Rosa for the fourth time in his career, attacked more than 70 kilometers from the finish together with five riders, and despite the fact their gap didn’t go north of 30 seconds at any point during the stage, they made the chasers work hard in order to reduce that margin. In the last ten kilometers, Cerny launched a fierce acceleration, dropping his companions and continuing alone, a brave ride that came to an end only after the many sprinters’ teams joined forces in the final two laps.

“Knowing that everybody was tired after what has been a hard Giro, I said to myself that I should try something, especially as I had nothing to lose. In the breakaway, we worked well together and left it all out there, but it was difficult with all those teams chasing us. In the final, I still had something left and emptied myself, but the peloton was stronger and eventually came back, and that was that. It was a tough race, but I am content with concluding it like this”, said Josef after the race.

The stage, which got underway from Vatican City – where Pope Leo XlV greeted the riders before the official start was given – ended in a mass gallop, and Luke Lamperti was in the mix for Soudal Quick-Step, taking a solid fifth place. It was the 22-year-old’s best result in two Grand Tour participations and our team’s ninth top-ten finish at this 108th edition of the Giro d’Italia.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images