Andreas Leknessund (23) became the first Norwegian to lead the Giro d’Italia in 42 years on Tuesday and moved to tears. The Tromsø man recently experienced a death in his close family.
Less than 3 hours ago
With second place behind Aurélien Paret-Peintre on the fourth stage, Leknessund became the first Norwegian in 42 years to wear the venerable pink leader’s jersey in the prestigious Giro d’Italia.
He leads the summary now 28 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel after 4 of 21 stages.
At the finish line, he cried after the feat. Til TV 2 tells him that he has experienced deaths in his close family.
– There were a lot of emotions, says Leknessund to VG.
– There has been a special entrance to The Giro The GiroAbbreviation for Giro d’Italia, the most recognized cycling race in the world after the Tour de France, and I know that there are many people at home who follow along. Being able to deliver something special like today feels very good, continues Leknessund.
The 23-year-old needed a stop on the ground after the finish line.
– It has been tough personally. I had a very big desire to achieve something in this race. It meant a lot to the people around me too, says Leknessund.
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He has barely been able to speak to his girlfriend and parts of the family. Otherwise, VG is among the first with whom Tromsøværing actually gets to summarize the feat.
– There are many impressions, and I have no previous experience with things like this. So this has to sink in a bit.
It is a relentless program the cyclists are exposed to in the legendary Tour of Italy. 17 stages remain until 28 May.
Everything else will be put on hold when the 23-year-old sits on the seat and rides out with the pink leader’s jersey on Wednesday’s fifth stage, 171 km long from Atripalda to Salerno in southern Italy.
– I allow myself to be motivated by people at home. That’s an important part of it. I want to make the people around me proud, says Leknessund.
The Team DSM cyclist is painfully aware of how much time he sacrifices for his cycling venture.
– I don’t get as much time with friends, family and boyfriend as I would like. So days like this maybe justify the life I live a little.
Published: 09.05.23 at 21:10
