Lennard Kämna wasn’t satisfied that the 4 climbs earlier than the end of stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico in Tortoreto have been sufficient to crack Filippo Ganna however on the finish of the stage, the quiet-speaking Bora-Hansgrohe rider was within the blue jersey with an actual likelihood of securing general success in Italy.
Ganna cracked on the final time up the three-kilometre climb, whereas Kämna fought to remain up entrance within the dash to the road. He completed 5 seconds behind stage winner Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) however that was sufficient to take the race lead.
Kämna pulled on the blue jersey on the rostrum and now sits six seconds forward of Roglič, with João Almedia third at eight seconds and his UAE Crew Emirates teammate Brandon McNulty fourth at 13 seconds.
“To be sincere, I underestimated the stage. I did not suppose the ultimate was so arduous,” Kämna admitted.
“However once we went over it the primary time, I used to be then positive it was going to be actually arduous and there was possibly even an opportunity to take the jersey. I needed to battle full fuel to lose as little time as attainable myself.
“As a crew we tried to be in entrance and tried to be energetic and aggressive, to cowl strikes. On the finish, it was full fuel racing.”
Kämna gained stage 3 of the 2022 Giro d’Italia on the slopes of Mount Etna after which spent every week in second place general. Now he’s experiencing race management himself after serving to Jai Hindley win the 2022 Corsa Rosa and provides Bora-Hansgrohe their first-ever Grand Tour win.
“I am actually, actually pleased to take the blue jersey. That is the primary time I’ve had a pacesetter’s jersey in a stage race and to have it right here in Italy is additional particular after final yr’s Giro was an amazing expertise for me and the entire crew,” Kemna stated.
“We’ll attempt to defend it for positive. I believe it will be arduous however we’ll strive to make certain. Six seconds on Primož Roglič shouldn’t be quite a bit, he is all the time a priority.”
Kämna and Bora-Hansgrohe face some arduous work and arduous racing within the subsequent two days at Tirreno-Adriatico.
Stage 5 finishes with a 14.5km climb to the end at Sassotetto, with snow and chilly rain doubtless.
Saturday’s sixth stage is across the quick and steep hills of Le Marche, with 20 or so steep ‘muri’ climbs prone to regularly take their toll on the riders in a battle of elimination. Whoever leads the race on Saturday night will most likely win general after Sunday’s flat stage to San Benedetto del Tronto.
“I believe Friday’s longer climb fits me higher than a punchy climb like right now’s stage however generally it will be an excellent arduous couple of days. I am going to simply must climb as quick as I can,” Kemna stated.
“I used to be pleased to take a seat in second place behind Ganna after the TT and now we are able to see what’s attainable. My major purpose this yr is the Giro d’Italia, to strive for the GC, and so Tirreno-Adriatico is an enormous a part of the preparation for that.”
