Cycling Revelation: Canada’s Derek Gee Shines in Giro d’Italia Debut
In a remarkable display of resilience and talent, 25-year-old Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has emerged as a standout performer in his first-ever Grand Tour, the prestigious Giro d’Italia. Representing the Israel-Premier Tech team, Gee has captured the attention of cycling enthusiasts with a series of impressive results, including three second-place finishes and a fourth-place finish in the race’s opening two weeks.
“Coming into this race, absolutely not. Not anywhere close,” he said during the event’s rest day. “It’s been, for sure, an emotional two weeks. But if you’d told me coming in that that’s what would happen, I would have been ecstatic. I still am.”
The Ottawa native currently sits 32nd in the general classification standings, 26:01 behind leader Bruno Armirail of France. Gee’s impressive performances have also earned him the second spot in the points race behind Italy’s Jonathan Milan and seventh in the King of the Mountains classification.
Facing the Grueling Final Week
With the grueling final week of the Giro looming, Gee is set to face an even greater challenge as the race heads into the Dolomites. Three of the last six stages have been given the maximum difficulty rating of five stars, including Tuesday’s 203-kilometer Stage 16 with 5,200 meters of elevation gain.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Gee remains undaunted. “It’s pretty cruel,” he said cheerfully. “There’s quite a few hard days between now and Rome (where the race ends next Sunday after a time trial in the penultimate stage).” The young Canadian’s goals for the final week include a shot at the race’s combativity award and securing an elusive stage victory, having come agonizingly close on Stage 14.
Unwavering Support from the Team
Israel-Premier Tech’s sports director, Sam Bewley, has voiced his unwavering support for Gee, stating, “He’s been so close … and on hard stages as well. He was fourth on a mountain stage (Stage 13), so he’s shown he can do everything.” Bewley expressed his belief that Gee deserves a stage win, a sentiment likely shared by the entire peloton.
Gee’s remarkable performance in the Giro d’Italia has not only surprised the cycling world but has also been a significant learning experience for the young rider. “The level of confidence I had going in versus now has definitely changed,” he said. “I’ve learned maybe I don’t hate the cold and the rain as much as most. It’s been a massive learning curve, for sure.”
As the Giro d’Italia enters its final and most grueling stages, all eyes will be on Derek Gee, the Canadian cycling sensation who has been defying expectations and captivating cycling enthusiasts with his relentless determination and remarkable talent.
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