'It's not a circus, it's amazing' - Riders suffer, enjoy Giro d'Italia's mountain TT

Thomas Champion (Cofidis) races up the gruelling 18.6km mountain time trial on stage 20 at the Giro d'Italia durin
Thomas Champion (Cofidis) races up the gruelling 18.6km mountain time trial on stage 20 at the Giro d'Italia durin (Image credit: Getty Images)

Patrick Lefevere described the Monte Lussari mountain time trial as “a circus,” saying he was “300% against” the course design, yet the riders who raced up the 15% slopes and emerged at the stunning sanctuary loved every moment. 

The stage also produced a dramatic finale to the 2023 Giro d’Italia as Primož Roglič did enough to take the maglia rosa from Geraint Thomas.