The Italians know all about romance.
They bring passion to everything they do — especially when it’s bike racing in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) won the final stage in dramatic fashion, whittling down the break and then leaving Julian Alaphilippe (Soul-Quickstep) on the penultimate climb of the Col de Porte.
Despite a concerted chase by race-leader Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in the final kilometer up to the Bastille Fortress above Grenoble, the Italian managed to hold on despite the nasty 14% grade.
Then, post-stage, that’s when things got so romantic.
Ciccone decided to dedicate his big victory to someone truly special. “I will be married next week and so this is a gift for my future wife,” he said. That’s so sweet. We don’t know how touched the future Mrs. Ciccone will be. Perhaps it’s just the wedding gift she was dreaming of this whole week.
After all, this isn’t just any present. It’s a solo victory in perhaps the most prestigious week-long stage race on the WorldTour calendar. And that’s not all — because he can also give her the beautiful winners jersey for the mountain classification that he scored. Perhaps he can ask the organizer for a smaller size that will fit her in a more flattering way.
Really, what could be more romantic and unique? It’s not as if Giulio can find something like this in a wedding registry or catalogue. Search all you want — doesn’t exist. No, that’s what makes this present so personal and from the heart.
Perhaps, Ciccone will now invite her on a romantic getaway in the mountains. That would be the Trek-Segafredo training camp for the Tour de France. We’re sure the team would happily arrange for a separate table, candles and music.
On this day of romance, Jonas Vingegaard finished crushing his rivals and sending them home. Adam Yates (UAE Emirates) was a distant 2:23 behind and Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën Team) was almost three minutes back.
Vingegaard’s wife and child were at the race so we’re wondering if the Dane will have his trophy gift wrapped for her. No wonder we’re all are so passionate about bike racing.
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