There is no stopping Derek Gee in this year’s Giro d’Italia. Israel – Premier Tech’s Canadian neo-pro powered to another podium place in the Giro d’Italia after an incredibly hard day on stage 10.

“I think it’s going to take a while for it to sink in what I did out there today but I’m really happy with my race”, Gee said with a smile of both happiness and exhaustion after the stage.

With heavy rain already from the morning and cold temperatures forecast on the climbs looming in the distance, Tuesday’s stage was always going to be a tough day in the saddle for the riders.

However, despite the challenges ahead, Gee was ready to attack right from the beginning of the stage and, after a strong fight, he finally got away together with former teammate Alessandro De Marchi (Team Jayco AlUla). Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) later joined the duo and the small group managed to build up a gap of nearly five minutes on the peloton.

Towards the end, the gap came tumbling down but Gee, De Marchi and Cort were not going to give up that easily and despite only having 45 seconds with 10 km left to go, they kept on pushing hard. Against all odds, they managed to defeat the chasing peloton and in the final kilometers, they could start focusing on playing for the stage win.

“It was touch and go for a while out there, not knowing if we would make it or not. For a long time, I didn’t think we had a shot. I actually can’t believe we made it at the end.”

Gee attacked with just over one kilometer to go but he was reeled in by Cort who then sprinted to victory, while IPT’s Grand Tour debutant took second place for the second time in his first Giro d’Italia.

“To be honest, this one hurts a little more [than the last second place] as I could really see the victory right there. I knew that Cort was faster than me and that I shouldn’t go up against him head-to-head. I tried a late attack but ultimately, I ended in a sprint against him anyway. The Giro is still long but I will try not to think about that right now as my legs really hurt after today!”

Derek Gee Israel Premier Tech Giro d Italia 2023 stage 10 second place