Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) showed his class and determination to smile at life even in defeat after stage 20, admitting that Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was the strongest rider in the Giro d'Italia and so deserved to win the maglia rosa.
"We're still happy, we gave our very best but Nibali, Scarponi and Astana showed they're the best. I didn't have the legs, that's life. There's nothing else to say," Chaves said, still with a smile on his face.
Chaves lost contact with Nibali mid-way up the Colle della Lombarda. He fought to limit his losses but reached the finish at Sant 'Anna di Vinadio 1:36 down an inspired Nibali. He is now second overall at 52 seconds.
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The Colombian climber has been struggling with bronchitis in the last few days, with a blocked nose revealing he was not at his best. He is apparently also taking antibiotics but he refused to say that his illness cost him the maglia rosa.
"It's not an excuse. I'm not the kind of guy to say I was ill or I had cramp. I just didn't have the legs and that's it," he said. "When you're heartbeat is at 200, you don't think about anything, about illness, you just try your best."
More on this story:
Giro d’Italia stage 20 highlights – Video
Giro d’Italia stage 20 – Finish line quotes
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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