He attacked again and again to become part of the break on the 175 kilometer stage towards Lago Laceno. In the pot was a potential stage win and pink jersey.
But there was also a more tragic backdrop which meant that there was a very passionate 23-year-old from Tromsø on the starting line this Tuesday.
That it meant something very special was also seen when Leknessund collapsed in tears after dragging himself across the finish line 28 seconds beyond the reach of Remco Evenepoel himself.
– Who was this victory for, Andreas?
– It was for many. I have had a great desire to perform in the Giro d’Italia and make it a special race. I have now done that, and it has meant a lot, says Andreas Leknessund to Landvei on Tuesday evening.
– Is it correct that you considered canceling the giro for the longest time?
– It was an assessment I had to make. There were periods when it was not very tempting to go to Italy, but at the same time I have realized that it can be good to travel down. Neither part had turned out quite right, anyway. It ended up with me leaving, and it feels right now, he says.
Had to stand over rides in the driveway
At the end of May, he missed the opening race of the Tour of the Alps. A few hours before he had actually intended to go to the airport, he was overtaken by very bad news from home.
Again, it was a death in close relations for the family-loving 23-year-old.
CELEBRATED: Mamma Oddveig Rikardsen found reason to smile on Tuesday. She has given Landevei permission to publish this photo.
Those who know Leknessund best are no longer surprised by the man’s ability to fight back. During the Tour de France last year, a good friend of his passed away. After keeping silent for the first few days, he responded by breaking free and keeping up with some of the world’s best climbers in the Pyrenees.
In the winter of 2019, he lost his dad, Arild, who got brain cancer and died after a short illness. Andreas followed up with several brilliant performances from the bike that year, and among other things thanked Edvald Boasson-Hagen from the pace throne at Kongsvinger a few months later.
– No, there have not been any easy months, but I have always known that I wanted to continue cycling. I know that dad wanted it, he told ringblad.no at the time.
– Quite strange
On Tuesday, he responded again with his legs when he and those around him needed it most. The first days of the three-week ride have made him stronger in his belief that it would be possible to perform well in sports.
At the same time, he has therefore brought heavy baggage from his home ground in Tromsø.
– How would you say this has affected your charging?
– At least it has been a different charge. Things have not gone smoothly. Nevertheless, I have felt that the form has become quite good. I have had the feeling that they have been able to achieve something during the giro. It has been quite strange. At the same time, it’s good to see that there was something in the feeling I’ve been sitting with, he says.
When he spoke to Landvei on Tuesday evening, he had just returned to the hotel the DSM team has checked into ahead of tomorrow’s stage. He hadn’t met his teammates yet, and the soigneur waited impatiently outside the door. But he had at least got rid of one phone call – the one to mum.
– Sure, we’ve had a good chat. I know it means a lot to her. It does anyway, but a little extra right now, he says.
– Was that your way of sending a greeting home?
– I guess it wasn’t direct. When I first make the choice to go, I want to do it as well as possible. For myself, but also for the people around me.
HERJET: Andreas Leknessund was on fire on the 4th stage of the Giro d’Italia. Photo: Cor Vos
“Damn, it’s great”
A little unsure of what is customary for the leader’s jersey, and not the usual celebration of a stage win, the 23-year-old was of course looking forward to rolling out in Atripalda with pink on his upper body.
– I think that will be really cool. I’ve looked at that jersey before and thought, “Damn, that’s great.” But I have not seen it as very realistic to use it myself. It’s something I’m really looking forward to. I got some nice pictures today that I will take with me further in my career, he says.
– You must say something about the conviction during today, too. You were very active, did you have to pay for it towards the end?
– It actually felt very good from the start. I was very active, yes – but I also didn’t feel like it cost that much. I felt that many people were getting tired, and actually followed the attacks that I wanted. The legs were good and we got a hatch. I felt the hard start a little later. When I entered the last hill, I guess I wasn’t full of confidence. But I also see that others are beginning to struggle. It’s actually surprising that it’s going so well. I had pretty sour legs when that hill started.
Must defend the jersey
After the pink coup against Lago Laceno, it will now be up to Team DSM – the youngest line-up in the entire race to defend the jersey over the next few days. Then another Norwegian has to go to the pumps, namely Jonas Iversby Hvideberg.
– It’s a good day to put the jersey on, considering the days to come. We clearly want to keep the jersey as long as possible, says Iversby Hvidberg to Landevei.
– What do you think about the mental strength behind the performance of your teammate today?
– What he delivers today is absolutely enormous. He has both willpower and capacity, and was determined to break through today. The rawness in him when he knows he can deliver is enormous, says teammate Jonas Iversby Hvideberg in Team DSM.
– Just to admire his courage
After an intensive fight to get into the break on the 4th giro stage, it naturally started to rain for everyone up the last hill.
Leknessund has built up a name as a rider who dares to dig deep and go solo towards the end of tough rides. At the bottom of Colle Molella, it seemed at first that Nicola Conci and Toms Skuijins were the two to start.
A LITTLE STRAIGHT? He had to get on the podium twice after the wonderful victory, on Tuesday. Leknessund leads two competitions in this year’s Giro d’Italia. PHOTO: Cor Vos
Old coach Lars Holm was – as usual – not too worried. He was early on with his prediction of victory on the last stage of the Arctic Race of Norway in Trondheim, when Leknessund once again pulled a wild stunt out of his hat:
– It is a fact that Andreas never really cracks. He is tenacious and what he put in work ahead of today’s break was deeply impressive. The cadence at which he drove the last hill today was not that impressive – but it says something about his ability to trot deeply, even if his legs scream to stop, says Lars Holm to Landevei.
He was the Norwegian’s coach while he was still cycling for Uno-X Pro Cycling. He still has regular dialogue with his former student throughout his schooling at NTG in Bærum.
– What do you think about the mental strength of Leknessund after a difficult charge to the Giro d’Italia?
– Andreas has his own ability to mobilize in the face of adversity. He has shown that before, and now again. You just have to admire the courage he has, says Holm.
