Today was another of those days on which the sprinters had to suffer as much as the GC riders. 4000 meters of climbing is really hard for riders like me. After it started unbelievably fast, I as already in the grupetto after only 50 km. But the fans along the way lightened our suffering. The atmosphere was fantastic. The weather was great, not as hot as in Germany. And I again defended my jersey. So all in all I have a good day behind me.

I hope that I still wear the sprint jersey tomorrow after the time trial. Diego Ulissi, who has finished second twice, is getting dangerously close. And as second overall, he is will surely do all he can tomorrow to defend his placing, or even to ride race leader Sergio Luis Henao out of yellow. Since there are points to be awarded, tomorrow I must put in a good time trial and if possible pick points. I hope that I get through it well.

Photo: roth-foto.de