Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) slumped over his handlebars after the stage 12 finish in Bibione, disappointed to finish second in what is almost cerain to be his final stage in this year's Giro d'Italia.
Ewan was perfectly placed on Andre Greipel's wheel in the finishing straight but tried to pass the German via the barriers and Greipel closed the door on the young Australian just enough to dissuade him from fighting his way and perhaps putting them both in danger. Ewan eased up, checked that he was assured of second place and follow Greipel across the line.
"I think the finish suited me, it was a really technical circuit and I'm used to that kind of racing in the crits in Australia," Ewan explained. "Luka (Mezgec) put me perfectly behind Greipel in the sprint and I think he could see me coming, so he closed me in on me towards the fence. I don't know how close I would have come if he hadn't done that but it was pretty disappointing that he did."
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Ewan proudly refuted suggestions that what happened was typical 'sprinters stuff', where the riders try to use their speed to exploit and defend any possible way to the front of the sprint.
"I guess its sprinter's stuff but it ruined my line for the sprint," he argued. "Maybe I'd have beaten him, maybe I wouldn't but I felt good and it was just disappointing to have my run cut short, when I was coming around him. I guess it was a smart move by him but it is pretty incorrect."
Greipel later dismissed any suggestion that he closed the door on Ewan when he spoke to the media in his stage winner's press conference, saying he simply took the best line, with his decision due to a side wind in the finish.
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