Andreas Leknessund impressed everyone when he cycled into second place on the Giro d’Italia’s fourth stage and with that secured the fabled pink jersey.
It shows that he is the overall leader in the prestigious stage race, as the second Norwegian in history.
The performance is made extra impressive by the fact that the cyclist has had a tough time on the private level recently, and it was not without reason that Leknessund burst into tears after the finish line.
Breaks down in tears after the feat
– There are a lot of emotions anyway, actually. Succeeding and seeing that the work you have done recently has been good, it is special anyway. This means a little extra in this particular Giro here, he told TV 2 in the interview zone.
– Extra special
Leknessund has recently experienced a death in close family. Back at the hotel, he tells more.
– Right now it is empty. It has boiled well at the top today, says Leknessund.
BREAKING: Andreas Leknessund fought to join the seven-man break on the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia. It ended with second place and overall leadership. Photo: Fabio Ferrari / AP
– It has been a difficult and special entrance to the Giro. At the same time, I have felt that the form has been quite good. I had a great desire to achieve something special. And with the result today, it has already been a successful and special Giro. It is good to perform under any circumstances. This means a lot to me and to the people around me.
– I have had extra great motivation based on what has happened. I had a feeling that this could be good and that anything could happen. It means a lot to me to be able to wear the jersey in the Giro, regardless of the circumstances. But clearly; this makes it extra special.
Leknessund does not want to go into more detail about the circumstances, but has given the go-ahead for TV 2 to refer to it as a death in the immediate family.
– How was the day?
– It was hard, tiring, but very fun. I am optimistic about the future. It will be insanely fat to wear the jersey tomorrow. The legs I had today were very good. I am optimistic about what is to come and look forward to Wednesday’s stage.
IN PINK: Andreas Leknessund will be only the second Norwegian after Knut Knudsen to ride in the iconic pink leader’s jersey in the Giro d’Italia. Photo: Jennifer Lorenzini / Reuters
– Touching to see
The performance has attracted attention. He notices that himself too.
– I have received a lot of messages, but I haven’t had time to get an overview of it yet, says Leknessund.
– I really feel for Andreas, and I can’t imagine what it has been like for him lately. That he still manages to deliver a performance like the one today says everything about how mentally strong he is. We also remember what it was like in the Tour last year, where he delivered from the top shelf on the bike, but also then went through a very difficult incident. It is touching to see how he performs, and there is no one who deserves it more than him, says TV 2’s cycling expert Magnus Drivenes.
Knut Knudsen, the only Norwegian to have worn the pink jersey, wore it for two days in 1975 and one day in 1981.
Watch the nerve-wracking duel
Leknessund has not thought much about how long he can sit in pink.
– I haven’t seen much about the next stages. At least I get to use it tomorrow, so every day after that will be a bonus.
Leknessund leads the Giro by 28 seconds on Remco Evenepoel.
