LIVIGNO, Italy — What Tadej Pogacar wants, he normally gets.
The Slovenian star said he wanted to win the Queen stage of the Giro d’Italia and he did just that on Sunday — destroying his rivals on the toughest leg of this year’s race to add three minutes to his already considerable advantage.
There is just one week remaining of the Italian grand tour.
Despite having ridden for more than six hours through the high mountains on Sunday, Pogacar was full of smiles as he was cheered on by the crowds lining the difficult summit finish at Livigno.
As the sunshine glinted off the snow on the sides of the route, Pogacar crossed the finish line with his arms outstretched over his head.
Pogacar finished the 15th stage 29 seconds ahead of Nairo Quintana and 2 minutes, 32 seconds ahead of third-place Georg Steinhauser.
His closest rivals were nearly three minutes slower. With the bonus seconds he picked up, Pogacar now leads the Giro by 6:41 over Geraint Thomas, with Daniel Martinez 6:56 behind in third.
It is the first time that the two-time Tour de France winner has ridden in the Giro. Pogacar is targeting the Giro-Tour double this year.
With just six stages left after Monday’s rest day, he's well set to complete the first step.
The Giro ends in Rome next Sunday
