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Yesterday Rigoberto Uran moved up to second place on GC, just 27 seconds behind Chris Froome. Today promises to be a true showdown – so can the Colombian from Cannondale-Drapac make up that lost time?

We spoke to Charly Wegelius in Briançon to get his take on how the team will approach the 18th stage.

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Some people would say that [Rigoberto Uran] is an ‘outsider’ but he’s got the reputation. He’s been on the podium of the Giro a few times. He’s got the goods. What’s he like to work with?

“He’s very, very straight. He’s very, very good at disregarding things that don’t affect his performance or the team’s performance.

“He’s a natural born leader, without having to say anything.

“He has a natural charisma that means that people naturally follow him.

“And he’s very rational and he keeps in the front of his mind what’s important and what isn’t.”

 

There’s been a bit of talk about him not being terribly aggressive on the climbs. Do you see today being an opportunity for him to try and attack… you can’t just bide your time for the time trial can you?

“No. If we see an opportunity, we’re going to take it. We’ve had that same stance the whole race.”

 

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Jonathan Vaughters before the start of the 18th stage. He told RIDE Media that he expects to make an announcement about a new sponsor for the team “before the end of the Tour”.

Photo: Rob Arnold

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There hasn’t been a lot of green around him on the climbs. Do you think that Andrew [Talansky] and Pierre [Rolland] can stay up with him today?

“I don’t think that’s accurate at all because at the bottom of the Galibier he had four team-mates with him yesterday, so that’s just plenty thanks.”

 

Okay. It’s just on the climbs where he is a bit isolated… it’s not a criticism, it’s just an observation.

“No, it’s a fact but I don’t see many other teams with a lot of riders. And you know, having three guys hanging there with the skin of their teeth doesn’t really make much difference to be honest.”

 

So when is the knock-out blow going to come? Can you just give me the kilometre mark?

“If I could I wouldn’t tell you. You know me better than that.”

 

 

– Interview by Rob Arnold

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