Vingegaard admits surprise after stage 18 twist: 'I didn’t expect this scenario'

On a day many had marked as an opportunity for the breakaway, the race instead developed into a show of strength from the fast men’s teams. Soudal Quick Step, Lidl Trek and others kept the escape on a short leash, survived the late climbing test of the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio and set up a sprint finish that Magnier finished off in commanding fashion.

Vingegaard, safely through another potentially awkward day in the maglia rosa, said afterwards that the outcome had caught him by surprise.

“I didn’t expect this scenario,” he said to CyclingPro.net. “I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect that the sprinters’ teams would take control. But they did a very good job and they deserved the win today.

“It was very impressive how they handled the whole situation and the whole stage. In the end, they deserved the win.”

Vingegaard was briefly visible on the move himself after an attack on the final climb, although he insisted there was no grand tactical plan behind it. Wearing the mountains jersey as well as leading the general classification, the Dane saw a chance to add to his tally.

“I was there and I have the jersey, so why not take the nine points there,” he said.

Asked about Friday’s queen stage, Vingegaard smiled at the suggestion that it looked more like a king stage.

“Yeah, it is,” he said. “There are a lot of altitude metres tomorrow. Hopefully I will have good legs, and then we’ll see what it will be.

“It is a nice stage and I would love to win that one. But we also have to be careful with the team and with everything. We will talk about it and then we’ll make a plan for tomorrow.”

Finally, Vingegaard was asked why his teammate Davide Piganzoli had been missing from the front group in the finale.

“I think with the bunch sprint going into the climb, it was hard to position yourself,” Vingegaard explained. “I think he had to do it a little bit by himself and then he was a bit far behind. That happens sometimes.

“He was not in the front over the climb, but he managed to come back. He didn’t lose any time at all and he’s still in a good position.”

“So far he’s been super strong,” the Dane said. “He showed what he’s capable of, and hopefully in the last two days he will also have some good legs.”