Giro d'Italia (2013) Photos; Stage 7: San Salvo → Pescara, 177 km

Hansen also has Italian bloodlines, “I can’t speak Italian but I come from an Italian background. My grandparents migrated to Australia from Fossano. They settled in North Queensland, where my mother was born, into a sugar cane family, although they were related to the Italian Ambassador in Australia. I have dual passports, Italian and Australian.”

The opportunist: “We knew it was a complicated stage because of the terrain, and in the end it became a real battle with Vini Fantini and Astana, with Nibali, making the racing. Paolini found the going hard, Urán had to work for Wiggins, so I took my opportunity.”

Dedication: “I dedicate this Maglia Rosa to my team. The Team Time Trial went very well for us, and since then, they’ve been working hard for my benefit. I dedicate it to my family and friends, to those who were with me in moments difficult.”

Tomorrow’s long time trial: “I’ve done OK in time trials in the past, but I’ve never really raced a time trial so long. I rode a 45km time trial at the Vuelta once, but not really racing it. There are much better specialists here than I am: Wiggins, Nibali, Hesjedal, Evans, for a start. If I keep the Maglia Rosa, then good. But even if I lose it, I’ll still be doing my best.”

Giro d'Italia (2013) Photos; Stage 7: San Salvo → Pescara, 177 km