Giro d'Italia (2014) Photos; Stage 17: Sarnonico → Vittorio Veneto, 204 km

Yesterday’s controversy: “It makes me laugh, because in reality everyone here and everyone watching on TV knows what happened. I didn’t go down in a car or on a motorbike. I came down on a bike, on the same roads as everyone else. A few riders refused to shake my hand this morning, but there are always people who cannot accept defeat, and many others, who ride for the teams whose directors sportifs are now arguing, came to congratulate me on my win. They know what really happened.”

Good form: “I have proven that I have the means to to be where I am. If it hadn’t been for the breakaway at Oropa, when I was still ill, I might have won, and I was second behind Aru’s spectacular attack 9 at Plan di Montecampione], beating the other favourites by several seconds. Perhaps if I have a good day, I’ll show myself. I’m not pushing myself beyond my means, dragging myself up the hills, to be where I am, wearing this Maglia Rosa!”

First pro win: “It had become a five-year obsession. I always knew a win would come, and I was sick of the criticism: Pirazzi gets it wrong, Pirazzi’s attack comes to nothing. Eveyrone has his way of riding. I’ve always tried to put on a show. I turned pro very young and I had to learn the ropes. Winning today was very important for me, and, in my emotion, made a gesture on the finish line. I regret it now and I would like to apologize.”

The escape artist: “Last year I was on the attack a lot to win the Maglia Azzurra, but this year the goal was to win a stage. I’ve only joined two breakaways in this Giro, and today went well for me and I’ve done it. I’ve had a good Giro so far, and there is still a mountain time trial to come, which I’ll try to rider well.”

Giro d'Italia (2014) Photos; Stage 17: Sarnonico → Vittorio Veneto, 204 km