Giro d'Italia: Baby phenomenon Ayuso wins first uphill finish. But in pink is Roglic

At the moment, however, on the podium to take the applause is Ayuso, who is three years younger than Tiberi. It is true that not everyone matures at the same age, but for the handsome Antonio too, the time has come to wake up. An old proverb reminds us that in order to realise dreams one must (sooner or later) wake up.

Speaking of Ayuso, it should be remembered that he also races for the Uae Emirates, i.e. the same formation as his majesty Tadej Pogacar, who is currently focusing on the upcoming Tour de France, which he has already won three times.

In short, in the absence of the supreme leader, at the Giro there is his deputy, the young Juan who is just waiting to show how good he is. "I only sprinted once," the Spaniard explained at the finish line. "Everyone was climbing very fast and I knew that the only way to impose myself was this. It's a great happiness, I hope there will be other occasions....".

But now, on this first climb of the Abruzzo, back in the pink jersey, almost in spite of himself, is another grand old man, Slovenian Primoz Roglic, 36 years old on 29 October, who is determined despite a few distractions to conquer his second Giro after that of 2023. The Slovenian, who also has four Vuelttes to his credit, knows that this is an excellent opportunity to make his mark again. Without the cat (Pogacar) the mice dance, and Roglic, more old fox than mouse, is working to arrive in pink in Rome in the Vatican Gardens.

On this stage Roglic seemed a little distracted, but it is better not to believe it too much - no longer a first-timer, the new pink jersey knows that a Giro is very long and that, in the end, everything is decided in the big mountains, in the Alps and the Dolomites. So he tries hard, but not too hard, trying to spread out the efforts as he did this time, leaving the scene to Ayuso.

Let's remember: Roglic is different from Pogacar, who would also win the flying finish line of the Alpini gran fondo. No, he prefers not to stand out too much, to conserve his energy. And he jokes about age: "There is no such thing as the right time to win. Age is no longer a number. And I feel ten years younger,' Primoz concludes with a laugh. Primoz in name and in fact.

Let's finish with the other bigs. Also splendid was Isaac Del Toro, a Mexican as fast as Speedy Gonzales, second behind Ayuso, also from Uae, a team where talent grows in drums.

Finally, two special words for Egan Bernal, who finished third. A great result for a champion who three years ago almost died in a terrible crash. His Giro, if it goes on like this, he is already winning it.