Done. Second stage win and the pink jersey at the Giro. I am happy and proud of us. The team gave everything today, to make this win possible. Thanks to the guys who tore themselves apart for me. The race was not easy. It took us to the limit. Some teams tried to explode the field into groups and near the finish it got pretty close again with the escape group. But in the end it all worked out and looking back, I have to say that we had the race under control the whole time.

I am especially proud that I could stand up to the pressure in the last days. Because now I can say it: Of course it was the plan to do a good time trial in order to pick up the pink jersey through the time bonifications. It worked out and it feels great. Even when you have good legs, something can always happen. You can crash, be thrown back by a mechanical or even get sick. Everything worked out. Perfect.

Tomorrow we will fly to Italy and on the rest day I will do a short ride with my "Pinky". And thanks for all your support! Cheers!

Photos: roth-foto.de