Hard-working Bobridge earns ‘maglia nera’

RISOUL, France (VN) — Jack Bobridge (Trek – Segafredo) would be happy to surrender his claim to one of the long standing but now unofficial honors of the Giro d’Italia before the race finishes on Sunday.

That honor is being the “winner” of the Giro’s “maglia nera” (black jersey) as the last finisher on general classification, like the “lanterne rouge” (red lantern) in the Tour de France.

The maglia nera is no longer presented as it once was from 1946 to 1951 — the last winner was Italian Giovanni Pinarello, who founded the famous Pinarello bicycle manufacturer based in Treviso. But the term it is still used in unofficial reference to the last placed rider. And after Saturday’s 134km 20th and penultimate stage from Guillestre to Sant’Anna Di Vinadio, Bobridge was that rider.

The 26-year-old Australian, who has been last overall since stage 16, finished 145th in the stage at 45 minutes six seconds to stage winner Rein Taaramae (Katusha). He is now in 157th overall at five hours, eight minutes, and 51 seconds behind new race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).

Unsurprisingly, Bobridge said there was no strategy behind his position. Nor will there be.

“It doesn’t bother me,” said Bobridge who began the Giro low on road kilometers due to training commitments with the Australian track team pursuit squad for the Rio Olympics.

“It’s not a spot that I planned to be in, but if I can finish the tour knowing I have done my job, and did what I had to do … if that is the place I finish in then that’s the place I guess.

“Some guys chase or follow it, but that’s not what I am after. I just want to make sure I leave here knowing I’ve done my best for the team. If that’s the place I fall in then that’s the place.”

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