'I have to say sorry' - Jonathan Milan apologises to Lidl-Trek teammates after missing out in Giro d'Italia sprint in Pieve di Soligo

Jonathan Milan has expressed regret to his Lidl-Trek teammates after failing to secure a sprint victory on stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia, which concluded in Pieve di Soligo. Despite entering the race as one of the favourites for the sprint finishes, Milan remains without a stage win in this year’s edition, with the race set to conclude in Rome on Sunday. He acknowledged the hard work of his team and took responsibility for not delivering the expected result, particularly after the collective effort put in throughout the stage. Stage 18 was a challenging 171km route from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo, featuring several climbs that made a traditional bunch sprint unlikely. A breakaway of four riders was eventually caught, leading to a reduced group of about 60 riders tackling the steep Muro di Ca’ del Poggio climb near the finish. Milan was the first to reach the base of this climb and managed to stay with the leading group despite attacks from general classification contenders, but the rain and tactical positioning in the final kilometres proved decisive. In the final sprint, Milan admitted to a tactical error in positioning, particularly on the penultimate corner, where he failed to follow rival Paul Magnier closely. Magnier, supported by his Soudal-QuickStep team, launched a well-timed sprint to claim his third stage win of the Giro, with Edoardo Zambanini finishing second and Milan taking third. Milan recognised that staying closer to Magnier would have improved his chances, but despite this, he praised the team’s efforts and vowed to continue fighting for a win. Milan’s history in the Giro d’Italia includes four stage wins across the past two years and two points classification titles, highlighting his pedigree as a top sprinter. However, with just a few stages remaining, including two demanding summit finishes and a final sprint opportunity in Rome, the pressure is mounting for Milan to deliver a victory before the race ends. The upcoming mountain stages will test the peloton’s endurance, while the closing day offers one last chance for sprinters like Milan to make their mark.