Giro d'Italia 2023: 'Emotion pouring out' - Andreas Leknessund breaks down in tears after making history

It was a very special and emotional day for Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM) who clinched the maglia rosa in style with a gutsy ride to finish second on Stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday. The 23-year-old rider may have missed out on the stage win to Aurelien Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroen) in a thrilling finish, but he became the first Norwegian in 42 years to claim the Giro's famous pink jersey. Ad As he reached the finish and crouched down on the ground, he was embraced by members of his team and the man from Tromso could no longer contain his emotions after what has been a tough time for him away from cycling.

Giro d'Italia'That's super special!' — Leknessund reacts to grabbing GC lead after Stage 430 MINUTES AGO «Leknessund not managing that [a stage victory] yet, but he is the maglia rosa, the new leader,» Hatch said on commentary for Eurosport. «What a day for the young Norwegian! Ah, the emotion there for Leknessund. I can tell you that it has been a really hard few weeks off the bike for this young man.

»The emotion pouring out. The loss of somebody very dear to him. It was touch and go if he was to come to the Giro.

He did come and he has performed. «It might not have been the stage, but he has to be happy with how he has ridden today. Off you go to the podium, young man, because that is quite the performance.» Paret-Peintre takes Stage 4 win as Leknessund usurps Evenepoel in GC Giro d'Italia Stage 4 as it happened: Paret-Peintre takes victory from Leknessund Speaking to Eurosport immediately after the day's racing, Leknessund was left stunned by what he had achieved.