Only top star Vingegaard seems to be out of reach for Gall

At the Giro a fifth place is achieved Georg Totschnig in 2003 the red-white-red top result. If Gall, who placed fifth on the tour last year, continues what he has done so far on the Tour of Italy after the last day of rest, even second place is quite realistic. Because the outsider Afonso Eulalio, who is only half a minute ahead of him, has noticeably weakened recently. With the help of his Decathlon teammates around Gregor Mühlberger, Gall should continue to have the Portuguese and his first pursuers around Thymen Arensman under control.

East Tyrolean behind Vingegaard “best of the rest”

“So far it’s going better than expected. I’ve confirmed my form in the mountains. That gives me confidence for the last week,” said Gall on Monday after interval training near Milan. Only top favorite Jonas Vingegaard was stronger than Salzburg’s elector in the first two weeks. The two-time Tour de France winner is already almost three minutes ahead of him. “Being beaten by Jonas is definitely not a shame. It’s cool to be ‘best of the rest’ so to speak,” said Gall. The Dane and his Visma team are normally not in danger. “Not really, they are the strongest team, he is the strongest driver. I’m focused on myself and the fight for the podium.”

Vingegaard sees Gall as his fiercest rival, but is calm and aggressive due to his previous dominance. “At the moment it looks like Felix Gall is a bit stronger than the other guys,” said the Dane. The 29-year-old wants to continue to work offensively, even after three stage wins and a comfortable lead. “There are still several chances. I also want to win a stage in the pink jersey. We will definitely go for at least one victory.” In the fight behind Vingegaard, Gall expects that he will soon be able to intercept Eulalio. “I hope that this will happen the next time I reach the mountain.” This is waiting in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Securing a podium place is a priority

The East Tyrolean sees the biggest danger behind him in the form of the Red Bull duo Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari. “It looks good on paper, but the gaps are relatively close and we still have a very difficult week ahead of us. It’s not like my podium is secured,” said Gall. In addition, surprises cannot be ruled out. “We are in the third week, everything is more unpredictable and a little more difficult to control.” On expected hot days, Gall will fight for the podium for long stretches with his compatriot Mühlberger, who has been a reliable help for him so far. “It’s something special to have him at my side not only as an extremely valuable and strong helper, but also as a good friend and roommate,” said the 28-year-old.

If Gall is spared from problems, history awaits him from a red-white-red perspective with the first Grand Tour podium since 1957. However, he has not managed a stage win since his coup in France in 2023. Vingegaard will probably continue to prevent this at the Giro. “The only way to win a stage is through Jonas. He seems to be a level above me, but of course I’ll try it,” said Gall. His main focus is on defending the podium anyway. “The big goal is and remains the podium in Rome, nothing has changed about that.”