Pellizzari admits he “overdid it” trying to follow Vingegaard on Blockhaus

The Italian was one of only two riders, alongside Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), able to respond when Vingegaard launched his decisive acceleration with 5.5km remaining. For a moment, the Italian looked capable of staying with the Visma | Lease a Bike leader, but the effort soon proved too much.

“I knew he starts very strongly,” Pellizzari said after the stage to CyclingPro.net. “Usually he has a very strong acceleration. I followed him, I overdid it, and that was it.”

The 22-year-old was distanced around a kilometre after Vingegaard’s move, before being caught by Gall, who immediately countered and rode away in pursuit of the stage winner. Pellizzari was later joined by teammate Jai Hindley and Ben O’Connor, with Hindley eventually taking third on the stage behind Vingegaard and Gall.

Asked whether the experience could serve as a lesson for next time, Pellizzari was clear.

“Yes, yes, definitely,” he said.

Despite the disappointment of losing ground after his aggressive response, Pellizzari insisted his legs had been good on the final climb.

“I was feeling good during the climb,” he said. “I’m a bit sorry that I threw everything away by trying to follow him, but that’s how it goes.”

The result still leaves Pellizzari in a strong position overall. In the general classification, the Italian now sits fifth, behind race leader Afonso Eulálio, Vingegaard, Gall and his Red Bull teammate Hindley.

Tomorrow brings a dangerous, hilly stage to Fermo, where Pellizzari will have extra motivation with the finish coming just a short distance from his hometown of San Severino.