Jonathan Milan is having nightmares at Giro d'Italia.
The specter of Paul Magnier haunts him in every sprint stage.
The Lidl Trek sprinter Jonathan Milan, seen as the alpha dog sprinter coming into this grand tour, has zero wins with time rapidly running out. Zero, nada, a nothing burger. And it’s giving him very bad dreams.
He had the first nightmare right after stage one into Burgas, Bulgaria. He woke up in a cold sweat and couldn’t shake the terrible images from his head. A faceless man was stealing everything from him.
It happened again after stage three, a sprint into Sofia where he was again vanquished. He was bleary eyed the next morning and barely had any energy. It was the same dark specter, mocking him, riding circles around him, calling him slow-poke.
He tried to make sense of these nightmares, the signs and ominous symbols. Suddenly he realized who the specter was: Paul Magnier of Soudal-Quickstep.
It was Magnier who stole victory from him on the opening stage. And again, it was the Frenchman who beat him on stage three. He was helpless, unable to match Magnier’s speed, his bike handling, his confidence.
Yes, it was a nightmare Giro d’Italia. His Lidl Trek team was counting on him to deliver the goods but he was empty-handed, losing his way, doubting power output.
He started getting better mentally and physically but then on stage 18 to Pieve di Soligo, it happened again. Magnier crushed him and it was all he could do to grab third place. It was an even more disappointing finish than his two 2nd places to, who else, Paul Magnier.
And now he knows what’s going to happen tonight. After the massage, the team dinner, he will retreat to his room and turn out the lights. The nightmare will begin all over again. Magnier haunting him, casting him aside, laughing at his misfortune.
If there is any hope to end these awful dreams, it is the final print stage in Rome. He can’t let it happened again. Somehow, someway, he must beat Magnier. Otherwise, he will need several sessions with the team psychologist.