Josh Kench in the mix ahead of a crucial weekend
# Josh Kench Primed for a Crucial Weekend in Giro d’Italia
With the “Grande Partenza” in Bulgaria now behind them, the Giro d’Italia is poised to reveal its General Classification (GC) contenders this weekend. Key summit finishes at Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale will set the stage for an exciting battle among the elite riders. Among them is Josh Kench, who has remained closely aligned with the leading GC competitors after successfully completing the demanding fourth and fifth stages. Although Paul Penhoët, placed 16th, was unable to vie for a top position in Naples on Thursday, the team’s future looks promising.
This week’s racing resumed with an atypical route, traveling from Catanzaro to Cosenza in Calabria. The 138-kilometer stage featured a challenging ascent at Cozzo Tunno (14 km at 6%), which created uncertainty about race dynamics. Team member William Green shared insights, stating, “The goal was to get into the breakaway because it was unclear who would control the race.” Johan managed to make the break, but was closely pursued by Rafferty, limiting their advantage. “We knew Paul would probably struggle on the climb, but we still didn’t expect the pace to be so high. In the end, Josh was our only rider to finish in the front group, which shows how hard the ascent was.” Kench finished the stage in 23rd place.
The following day brought a new set of challenges for the New Zealander, as he stayed with the favorites during a stage with 3,700 meters of climbing. “It was without doubt one of the worst days on the bike I’ve ever witnessed,” Green commented, noting the harsh weather conditions that included rain and hail. Despite these obstacles, Axel and Johan helped position Josh effectively for the final climb. Ultimately, Kench finished the stage in 26th place overall before the peloton tackled a less strenuous journey toward Naples on Thursday. However, the anticipated bunch sprint did not yield the results Penhoët and his teammates were hoping for, ultimately leading to a disappointing finish.
Davide Ballerini clinched victory amid the chaos, leaving Paul Penhoët to settle for 16th place. As the team approaches three challenging hilly stages before a rest day, Green expressed optimism about the weekend. “The weekend looks exciting,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to Josh’s first true mountain test tomorrow, and it will tell us more about the team’s next two weeks at the Giro.” He noted that Kench’s performance has improved significantly since moving from the Asia Tour to the WorldTour and now experiencing his first Grand Tour.
While the general classification isn’t the team’s immediate focus, the upcoming stages at Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale may offer valuable insights. Green highlighted Kench’s potential: “In any case, everyone has recovered well from the crash and is ready to give 110% to seize every opportunity. Rémi Cavagna is feeling better and better every day and already has his sights set on the time trial.” As the Giro progresses, all eyes will be on Kench as he tackles the crucial mountains ahead.
