'Hardest day of my life': Luke Tuckwell moves into Maglia Rosa at Giro Next Gen 

Young Australian Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull- BORA – hansgrohe Rookies) has delivered an exceptional performance on Stage 5 of the Giro Next Gen to ride his way into the coveted overall leader’s pink jersey

The 20-year-old Bathurst Cycling Club product said it was one of the hardest days of his life.

“Frankly, I'm still at a loss for words. It will certainly take me a while to realise what happened today,” he said.

With general classification in his sights on the chaotic 153km stage from Fiorenzuola d’Arda to Gavi, Tuckwell’s team set the pace on the Passo del Penice climb applying pressure and causing the peloton to break-up into small groups and isolating the previous overall leader, Belgian Jarno Widar (Lotto Development Team).

An 11-man breakaway, which included Tuckwell, formed midway down the descent with over 70km to go.

In the finale, it was Adam Rafferty (Hagens Bermans Jayco) who launched the killer blow, attacking solo to take the win.

Tuckwell, the only Australian in this year’s race, finished ninth on the stage, but was 1:50 minutes ahead of Widar to move into the overall lead.

“We really wanted to take the jersey in these hard three days in the middle. It was definitely motivating to be racing at the front for the Maglia Rosa. The whole way, I just had to keep going until the last kilometre when I realised that I was going to get the Maglia Rosa,” Tuckwell said.

“I’ve got it! I’ve watched it on TV for years. I can’t believe to be sitting here right now with this jersey. Now the real race starts. We’ve got three days to go. We’ll give it our all to defend the lead. I’m super motivated to make the best outcome out of this race.”

 In the new overall standings, Tuckwell leads Solvenian Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) by 26 seconds and Italy’s Filippo Turconi (VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè) by 36 seconds.

There are three more stages of the Giro Next Gen, which ends on Sunday with the finale in Pinerolo.

Images: Giro Next Gen/ LaPresse