Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) hasn't kept Irish cycling fans waiting to get a look at him imposing himself off the front of the bunch in the 2024 season on the climbs of Europe. In his first European stage race of the new campaign yesterday the Irishman threw caution to the wind and went for it.
And though he came up a little short - after his attacking companion showed little aptitude for hard work - Ryan still finished 3rd, gaining time and some bonus seconds at the end of stage 2 of Coppi e Bartali.
Ryan told stickybottle his condition was great on the finale of the hilly 156.5km stage to Sogliano al Rubicone. And now that he was in a strong position overall, he was determined to capitalise and have "a crack" at the race on the harder stages to come.
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"I'm happy with the performance today and it's good to get the opportunity from the team to go for it. I haven't raced much since Australia so it's nice to open up the legs today," he said of attacking with 1.5km to go, opening a gap and shredding what remained of the peloton.
"I decided to (attack) with 1½ks to go and De Pretto (Team Jayco AlUla) came with me. Unfortunately I didn't get many turns out of him. I think if he gave me a turn or two we could have made it in the end.
"But Ulissi was quick at the finish and the fast guys were hot in our heels. But it's good to be up there again as I haven't raced much since Australia, I'm just starting a block (of racing) now."
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In the end yesterday, UAE Team Emirates did just about enough to keep Ryan and De Pretto at a manageable distance - no more than a few seconds. And when the finish line neared, Ulissi sprang from what remained of the peloton to win.
De Pretto and Ryan were caught by four chasers right on the line, but they were still 2nd and 3rd on the stage; picking up six and four bonus seconds, with Ulissi taking 10 and the three-second gap he opened on the chasers.
That result means Ulissi now leads the race overall with three stages remaining. He has an advantage of seven seconds on De Pretto and nine over Ryan. Koen Bouwman (Visma-Lease a Bike), another GC dangerman, is next; 4th overall at 13 seconds.
But Ryan is in a great position now and even though he has lost some team mates, he will hope Visma-Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates take the initiative in making the race as hard as possible, which would suit the Irish rider.
"The form is good and I'll have a crack at GC now," Ryan confirmed. "I'm sitting third overall with some harder days incoming, which will be interesting. Unfortunately we're down to four men so it will be a different ballgame to usual.
"I think we'll just have to see how the race goes and take our opportunities when they come. But I'm looking forward to it with some tough days to come, definitely looking forward to it."
