Jonathan Milan's smile didn't fade even after a complicated day, one of those where sprinters' hopes shatter along a climb too steep to allow for a group sprint. On the Cuzzo Tunno climb, the Friuli rider had to throw in the towel along with the other sprinters, paying the price for the pace imposed on the final ascent.

Milan, who in the previous stages had sought success multiple times without managing to deliver due to crashes that had hampered his progress in Bulgaria, nonetheless found reasons to smile thanks to his teammate Giulio Ciccone's result. The third-place finish achieved today allowed the Abruzzese rider to wear the pink jersey, bringing great satisfaction to the entire team after a difficult start to the race in Bulgaria.

«I think it was impossible to arrive with the other sprinters to fight for the victory and I expected it, I tried to do my part, to coordinate with the other sprinters, so that's what happened and it's fine anyway» Milan explained after the race, recounting the difficulties faced on the final climb.

The Italian sprinter then immediately shifted attention to the joy and euphoria of the team for that pink jersey that has been with Lidl-Trek since yesterday: «Ciccone took the pink jersey and it seems like great news for the team. I'd say this pink jersey is even better than a victory for me. It's beautiful, he deserves it, he told me he was feeling good today, I'm not entirely sure how things went but certainly it's an immense joy and well-deserved».

Despite the bitterness of a victory that slipped away once again, Milan emphasized that his personal balance sheet is not entirely negative: «I'm super happy, really. And besides, the team needed this, something nice after a difficult start, even though in the end I was always there in the finishes. I can't say I didn't bring home half a result. I always tried to be there in the final and even if I didn't win, there were certainly some results, though not the ones we expected».

This is the determination of a rider who, despite the difficulties and missed opportunities, continues to look ahead with confidence. «But anyway, you learn from mistakes and we want to continue to do well, we want to keep seeking results like we've been doing and we won't give up and we'll keep moving forward always chasing victory».