GERAINT THOMAS SURRENDERED the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia to Bruno Armirail as Nico Denz secured his second stage triumph within three days.
Denz, who claimed his maiden Grand Tour stage win on Thursday, reacted quickly after Alberto Bettiol attempted to breakaway in the final kilometre on the approach to Cassano Magnago in Italy.
And in a gripping sprint finish, the German Bora–Hansgrohe rider just about held off the advancing Derek Gee to cross the line first in the 194-kilometre stage 14 race, with Bettiol finishing third.
“I felt supergood and so I managed to get again into the breakaway,” Denz said. “We were lucky to close the gap just inside the final kilometre.
“I felt very good and when Bettiol launched his sprint I followed him and then I went full gas until the line. It was a very tough day but it ended well for me.”
Armirail finished 40 seconds down on the leading pack but will be in pink in Sunday’s 195km mountain stage from Seregno to Bergamo after going to the top of the general classification.
Thomas, who has held the leader’s jersey for the last four stages following Remco Evenepoel’s withdrawal after a positive Covid test, is now one minute and 41 seconds behind Armirail.
The French Groupama rider said: “The plan was more about the stage win (on Saturday). We thought one day the Maglia Rosa could be up for grabs. But we didn’t think it would be today.
“I had tried on stage four and I was disappointed that I wasn’t on a good day. Only once Geraint Thomas crossed the line, it became a reality in my mind but it’s hard to realise.”
He’s an Irish naturalized citizen . Fair play to him. As for the earlier comment about debates re nationality I think that’s irrelevant as this debate is usually confined to the granny rule etc. In this case he’s been naturalized. He done it all on his own . No granny involved. I’m about to become naturalized in another country . Will be a a big day for me. This guy is as Irish as anybody else. By merit.
@Ronan McDermott: oh no he’s not
@Bungee Aky: oh yes he is
@Bungee Aky: ohh no he’s not
@Bungee Aky: ohhhh yes he is
@Ronan McDermott: yep, were a transient race is humans, nationality is just an accident of birth. Personally there’s a dozen or more countries I’d proudly take citizenship of alongside my own. I’d be very surprised if Bundee hasn’t taken out Irish citizenship in the next year or two also for his family. They’ve both found a home out Wesht. Not saying either will stay forever, the pull of family as parents get older can change things, but these guys invested a huge amount coming to Ireland and making the commitments they have….
@Ronan McDermott: he’s been clearlyvfast tracked so he can put on a green jersey
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: You don’t need to be a citizen to play rugby for a country. He’s been here long enough to meet the minimum residency requiements for both. Will his public profile have swayed the discretionary aspect of approval for citizenship? I imagine so, but he’s Ireland qualified and committed for international rugby regardless already.
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: Hardly been fast tracked when he’s lived here for almost 7 years and you only need 5 to apply for citizenship.
@Sam Harms: 3 at the time
@Eoin Murphy: To be eligible to play for Ireland 3 years. To become an Irish citizen is 5 years.
@Ronan McDermott: he’s not as Irish as me
Here we go, another mindless debate about foreign players playing for Ireland. 200 comments about CJ stander, Aki, project players, soccer, how someone’s granny should be from sixmilebridge for them to wear the green jersey, mercenaries and a load more
bollocks from people showing their IQ is a fraction of their age.
@Bungee Aky: Get the popcorn out lad
@Bungee Aky: you’re spot on. It’s beyond boring at this stage.
@Bungee Aky: wheres the Norwegian lad who likes a good moan on here about the forrignns (or is it only the non-white ones that are his speciality). Do you have to say his name three times or something? :-D
Listen, these guys can come and go as they please, it’s just an opinion….I live(d) near richart Strauss and he was a really good example of the minute he finished with Leinster and Ireland his house was for sale and he had gone back to his family farmin SA…. in fairness that’s his right and Irish people have lived all over the world and come home… difference is these guys are saying they are Irish…. just sticks in the craw a bit
@Davedental: He is Irish and he has a passport to prove it. Why do people gripe about them leaving the country after their career but have no issue with a guy who qualifies via parents/grandparents doing the same? There are a host of guys who’ve turned out for Ireland historically who never lived in Ireland and flew in for training/matches and were in the first flight back out. These lads come here set down roots and become part of their communities. Some like Jared Payne marry locals, many have kids who are born here and some stay. Andy Ward has been here almost 30 years now. It’s not just a case of packing up shop the second their career is over and get straight out of town
I hope Neil Francis gets off his case now.
@Pat Lonergan: i don’t know anyone that gives a damn what Neil Francis thinks. I’m sure it won’t bother him.
Excellent to see this guy is now just as Irish as me. He is certainly more Irish than those pesky soccer players with Irish grandparents(they should have no right to play for Ireland!). I hope the IRFU continue to buy in more players like this in the transfer market! Sure nationality is a myth anyways hohoho.
@Stephen Walsh: I’d say he’s more Irish than you
@Stephen Walsh: if nationality is a myth why do care then? Think we need stricter criteria to gain Irish citizenship like the American or British system. Should definitely be a rigorous test to see how much the applicant cares about Irish culture and values. Remember the ex British diplomat recently crowing about how he was getting an Irish passport post Brexit so he could avoid potential airport queues in Italy when visiting his holiday home?
@Valthebear: so it’s clear you know nothing about the process.
1. Him becoming an Irish citizen and him becoming eligible to play for Ireland are totally unrelated as is proven by the timing and also the sequence of both happening.
2. What is overlooked in this comments section is what a great player he is for both Connacht and Ireland. He has come on significantly in the last couple of years, especially in terms of his discipline
If he’s still in Galway in 10 years time with his wife ( ironically From SA too) and kids running around living a normal life I would be delighted… same goes for all the naturalised Irish players…..I reckon the minute they retire they will all be back “home” though…. that is the crock of sh*t… very few actuallly stay post retirement….Doug howlett and he wasn’t even Irish!
@Davedental: Tribal thinking ,every day I meet people that worked the best part ok their in England and retired home now collecting the Queens shilling that they worked for and are entitled to .that’s life
@FlopFlipU: part of their lives
@Davedental: I stand to be corrected but I believe that a South African must give up his citizenship at “home” if he takes up another nationality. Big step, big commitment
@Tony Harris: You can have dual citizenship in SA but have to apply for it before being granted your second citizenship
@Davedental: Is Doug Howlett still in Limerick?!
@Davedental: why is it ironic that his wife is from South Africa too?
@Californialov3: He was in the Cork hurling dougout last weekend
@Davedental: he literally said he hopes to retire to Galway. He didn’t need to take Irish citizenship, it doesn’t affect his ugly For Connacht or Ireland, but he has. That shows commitment beyond his job.
If he changes his name to Rous Quinn he would sound a bit more Irish.
He is not Irish an never will be and most probably would never had come to Ireland if he wasn’t a professional rugby union player and money was involved and that goes for Stander, Aki etc. they should change the rule to be eligible to play for Ireland if descended from parents only at an absolute minimum and in the meantime these guys are taking the place of real Irishmen on the Ireland squad and team and it should not be facilitated cos that green jersey is a sacred jersey of monumental national pride and respect in any and every sporting code.
Dan Parks still one of my favorite scots men from the highlands
just wondering — did he have to go through the usual channels and pay the usual fees to get his citizenship ? how come the ceremony was ‘conducted in killarney in front of a couple of officials ” i thought the rules were that you had to attend the citizenship ceremony at the aras in dublin or you would not get your certificate of citizenship and therefore would not be allowed a passport ..
@Eric Davies: Of course he had to go through all the usual channels and pay the usual fees. And the ceremonies take place across the country. The ones in Dublin are mainly in the convention centre but I’m sure there’s ones for VIP’s in Dublin Castle/the Aras.
@Eddie Hekenui: thanks eddie — heard something on the radio yesterday and it made it sound as if he had been given preferential treatment due to his rugby — every article i have seen on citizenship ceramonies have only ever mentioned dublin – good luck to the fella and his family .
@Eric Davies: As of last year all citizenship ceremonies that used to take place in the Dublin Convention Centre now take place in the Killarney Convention Centre