Oliver Naesen: "This was the goal of the week
"We knew it would be a difficult and decisive stage. For me, it was the objective of the week. Since the first stage, a lot of bonuses have been distributed and that didn't smile at us. So we had to play an important card.
Second of the stage, second of the general, it was almost a success but there is a great satisfaction because the whole team ran well and the group behaved very well with Damien who enters the top 10.
Tomorrow, there are still possibilities but it won't be easy because it will come down to the bonus and we mustn't make any mistakes.
At Paris-Roubaix, I was in great shape but I was unlucky. Here, I'm on the rebound, the legs are good and that's great for the rest of the season."[/su_quote]
Key number
4
On the eve of the final finish, Oliver Naesen is second in the overall classification, 4'' behind leader Philippe Gilbert.
Damien Touzé, seventh of the stage, is tenth overall.
The news
Giro : a short and demanding time trial
At the end of the second stage of Giro , a short and demanding time trial in Budapest, Andrea Vendrame dropped to 35th place in the overall standings.
"We didn't have time to admire the buildings in Budapest. It was tough and intense. It allows us to get started gradually before arriving in Italy, where the Giro really begin for the AG2R CITROËN team," said Nans Peters.
