Queen stage all about survival for Team Novo Nordisk

Sports director Gennady Mikhaylov:

“The Queen Stage. The toughest of the race and for us it certainly played out that way. We lost contact on the first climb, made it back in and then we dropped again on the big HC category climb to Poklon.”

“From there it was about survival for us and making sure we stuck together and made it to the finish. We were part of a big group and we made it. Tomorrow is all about working for Andrea, giving him as much help as possible until the last moment and going for a result so we can end the season on a high.”

Filippo Ridolfo:

“I am really tired now. I felt good the first three stages and then yesterday I started to feel the season in my legs. Today I realized how much higher the level of this race is to what I’m used to and how happy I am to be racing here and holding my own.

“We all worked hard together today and when we regrouped after the main climb, we rode as a team to the finish. I think it’s been great to get this experience in my legs at this stage of my career and I’m looking forward to the finish in Zagreb tomorrow. We’ll give our all for Andrea tomorrow and try our best to position him at the front for the last sprint of the year.”