Derek Gee is in a lot of pain, and he loves it.
The 25-year-old Ottawan, the only Canadian entered in the Giro d’Italia, caught the eye in his first career major cycling event. In the first two weeks of the competition, the Israel-Premier Tech rider finished second in one stage on three occasions, in addition to finishing fourth in another.
Gee admitted that he was the first to be surprised at his performance when asked if he expected to be so successful during his first race of 21 stages totaling 3849.2 km.
“Before this race, definitely not. Never in 100 years, he mentioned Monday on the occasion of the last day of rest at the Giro. It has been two very emotional weeks. But if you had told me at the dawn of the competition what was going to happen, then I would have been jubilant. And it still is. »
Gee is 23rd overall in the Giro, 26:01 behind the leader, Frenchman Bruno Armirail. He is also second in the points race behind Italian Jonathan Milan, and seventh in the best climber classification.
He would now like to signal himself as the peloton heads towards the Dolomites, for a final week of activities that promises to be quite tough.
Gee was expected to support teammate Domenico Pozzovivo in his quest for the pink leader’s jersey, but the Italian’s race was cut short due to a positive COVID-19 test. Gee is now his side’s overall leader, with Italian teammate Marco Frigo three spots down at 35th.
Gee is aware that his suffering is not over.
Three of the last six stages are marked by the highest level of difficulty (five stars), and this true test of endurance will begin on Tuesday with stage 16, a 203 km course with a 5200 m vertical drop between Sabbio Chiese and Monte Bondone — without forgetting the finish area located at the top of a non-category pass.
The 18th and 19th stages, which will be presented later this week, will also take place in mountainous terrain.
“It’s pretty cruel,” admitted Gee. There are still a few extremely difficult days to negotiate between now and Rome [where the race will end next Sunday, after an individual time trial is held on the penultimate stage]. »
His goals this week are to position himself for the title of most resilient cyclist, and a stage victory. Gee had come within half a wheel of doing so in a furious final sprint against Germany’s Nico Denz on Stage 14 on Saturday.
Gee nevertheless believes that it is only a postponement.