When finishing becomes victory

By now all the riders still in the race will be beyond tired, so it’s about their innate ability to haul themselves over the last few mountains.

It’s the same for me but as we get towards the finish my job becomes still more critical. Fatigue is hard to manage at the best of times, and still more so for guys riding their first or second Giro. I have to be a psychiatrist, a disciplinarian and a best friend – whatever it takes to get them home. When you’re in it you’re in it but when the Giro finishes I am destroyed emotionally and physically. For 20 days afterwards, I want nothing whatsoever to do with bike racing!