Cycling
Steinhauser takes the first German stage win at the Giro 2024
Georg Steinhauser celebrated the greatest success of his career to date. photo
© Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse/AP/dpa
His father Tobias once rode in a team with Jan Ullrich, and now the young Georg Steinhauser is making his first major appearance in professional cycling. The 22-year-old triumphs in the mountains – ahead of Pogacar.
The 22-year-old, son of former professional cyclist Tobias Steinhauser, won the mountain finish on the Passo Brocon after 159 kilometers and thus celebrated his first professional victory. Pogacar, who has already achieved five daily victories, attacked late and took second place, a good one and a half minutes behind, further extending his lead in the overall standings.
“This is unbelievable,” said Steinhauser. “I noticed that I had good legs. At some point I tried it and it worked. I was super nervous on the last climb. I knew I had to give it my all. I heard that Pogacar was attacking. But there were It was only two kilometers left and I knew I could do it.”
“He’s definitely better than dad”
His father Tobias shed a tear in the Eurosport studio and was extremely proud: “It’s pure emotion. I wish him that much. It was a great race. He’s definitely better than his dad. He deserves it.”
With 34 kilometers to go, Steinhauser broke away from fellow escapee Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier from Eritrea and couldn’t be caught on the final climb, which was 11.9 kilometers long and had an average steepness of 6.4 percent. Nico Denz ensured the last German stage victory in the Tour of Italy last year.
Father Tobias once rode in a team with Jan Ullrich
It was only on Sunday that Steinhauser, who has been driving for the American racing team EF Education since his professional debut in 2022, impressed with third place at the mountain finish in Livigno. His father Tobias, whose greatest success was a stage win at the Tour de Suisse, once rode in a team with Jan Ullrich. Ullrich was also married to Georg Steinhauser’s aunt Sara for more than ten years.
The battle for overall victory remains a clear affair for Pogacar. The Slovenian is almost eight minutes ahead of the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez from the German Bora-hansgrohe team. This is unlikely to change on Thursday, when a sprint finish is expected on the 18th stage over 178 kilometers from Fiera di Primiero to Padua.