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Felix Gall’s decision to compete in the Giro d'Italia time trial without a helmet visor raises eyebrows after he loses significant time to his rivals. This unconventional choice could have major implications for his overall performance in the race.
Gall, who had been a strong contender against Jonas Vingegaard in the mountains, clocked in at 1:22 behind him and 2:28 behind Thymen Arensman during the 42km stage 10 time trial. His choice to wear only sunglasses instead of the standard visor designed for aerodynamic efficiency surprised many, including cycling pundits.
Gall stated, “It was more comfortable without the visor,” but this rationale has drawn criticism. Experts emphasize that comfort should not outweigh speed in time trials, where every second counts. Robbie McEwen pointedly remarked that leaving time on the table due to comfort is not the goal of a time trial.
Despite the controversy, Gall felt good about his power output during the race, noting that his legs performed as expected. He acknowledged the difficulty of the long time trial but remained focused on doing his best under the circumstances. As the Giro d'Italia progresses, Gall's choices may heavily influence his standing in the overall competition.
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