For most Grand Tour stage winners, that taste of victory at cycling's biggest races comes with a euphoric release of achievement, able to cross the finish line with their arms aloft, knowing they have indeed won.
But for British time trial champion Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) on stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia, that feeling of netting a maiden GT win came only after one hour and 28 minutes of waiting. There could be no grand celebration once Tarling crossed the line in Tirana. Instead, with 52 riders, many of the GC stars and other stage favourites still to come, he just rolled to a stop in front of team staff, downed a bottle of water and recovery drink and went to sit in a tent on a stool, to await either his greatest career victory or complete disappointment.
