Gonchar to Pollack to Gonchar
T-Mobile was playing the pro cycling version of "Button, button, who's got the button," except it...
T-Mobile was playing the pro cycling version of "Button, button, who's got the button," except it was the Giro d'Italia's pink leader's jersey that was being handed around by the guys who usually wear magenta. The leader's jersey went from Serguei Gonchar to Olaf Pollack and back to Serguei Gonchar. How did it feel to pass it around like that?
"At first I apologised to Serguei, later he apologised to me for taking it from each other’s shoulders," said Pollack. " Other than that, it didn't feel too strange. I had the chance to wear it for a day – and I took it."
In a joint interview on www.t-mobile-team.com, the two teammates explained that they both like the colour pink. "It almost looks like magenta. So you've got to like it," said Pollack, while Gonchar said, "I really fancy the colour. I feel absolutely comfy in it."
Both noted that the entire team contributed to their success. According to Gonchar, "You could say, the team bagged the pink jersey. My own contribution was the good prologue. With this team, it was almost impossible not to move into the maglia rosa," and Pollack noted that, "They played a big part in it, because of the team time trial. But maybe even more so by the the work done for me on the next day. They closed gaps for me and kept the pace high. That was a good team performance, hats off to the lads!"
Looking to the rest of the Giro, Pollack wouldn't mind adding the sprinter's jersey to his collection. "It could be done, since there are still three or four flat stages yet to come. However, you have to wait and see who'll be scoring in the mountains. For me it would be best if different riders win. We'll see how things will look like ahead of the final stage."
Gonchar is placed high on GC with his specialty, the individual time trial coming up, and he says, "The ITT is most important for me. Other than that, I will see if I can be in a break once again."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!