The Turin crowd called Vincenzo Nibali's name over and over again as he returned to the Astana Cazacstan team bus. The Italian tifosi were eager to get in touch with the best Italian rider of his generation and be part of his emotional day in the attack for the overall lead on stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia.

The confirmation of his retirement at the end of the season seems to have lifted a weight off the Sicilian's shoulders, freeing him from the emotions and pressures of carrying his country's hopes for success.

After being hit hard by COVID-19 and infection in February, the first half of the Corsa Rosa definitely helped him find the form that had been missing for three years. Nibali's career is coming to an end, but he hopes to leave the Giro d'Italia in top form with a stage win.

"I wanted to win a stage, but I knew it would be difficult. Nibali explained after being splashed with cold water over his head as he crossed the finish line in Turin and ran to the shade of the team bus along the Po River.

"I am happy to feel so much love and support from the roadside. I have felt their support from the local Sicilian stage. I saw their banners, felt their warmth and heard their cheers. I want to repay them and show my gratitude by winning the stage."

Nibali finished the day in fourth place, 15 seconds behind stage winner Simon Yates (Bike Exchange-Jayco) and ahead of Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and new race leader Richard Karapas (Ineos Grenadiers).

After the four men proved to be the strongest on the summit of Colle della Maddalena, fending off a lone attack by Kalapas, the others fell further back. Joao Almeida, Mikel Landa, and the rest of the field escaped after the race was torn apart by the heat, the steep Piemonte slopes, and the hellish pace of Beulah Hansgrohe.

"It was a really hard day. Beulah Hansgrohe's pace was really high and it was very, very hot. The heat and the technical nature of the course made it difficult to eat and drink," Nibali explained.

"We lacked a little bit of power to attack and get away. It's not easy to be competitive at that level. When you get older you have to work even harder to stay at that level.

"I tried to stay up there as long as I could. I felt good and I was very cautious on the climbs. When Calapaz got away quickly, I didn't even try to chase him because I thought it was too far to the finish. He's a good rider and Hindley is a good rider coming back from two difficult seasons.

Nibali rode strongly and made up for the time he lost on Mt. Etna in stage 4. Nibali, like Yates with his knee problems, dropped out of contention for the overall and decided to go for the stage win. However, Nibali is now in eighth place overall, 2:58 behind Calapaz. A top-five overall finish is also within reach.

Team leader Miguel Angel Lopez retired on stage 4, leaving Nibali as the only contender for the overall win in Astana Cazacustan.

"My goal now is to stay in GC, but I won't cry if I explode," Nibali confided.

"Losing time in Etna hurt, but the climb up Brockhaus was good. Today I was going for the stage win, but I was also going for GC."

Nibali will turn 38 in November, and unless he changes his mind and postpones his retirement, he will be retired by the time the candles are blown out.

Grand Tour victories, wins at Il Lombardia and Milan-San Remo, and his aggressive racing style have earned Nibali a prestigious place in Italian cycling. In recent years he has struggled with Trek-Segafredo, and in 2021 a knee problem further exacerbated tensions with the team.

"Like many other riders, I had good years and bad years in my career.

"Last season I also suffered from knee pain, but I kept quiet. Now I've got a new pair of Nimbri shoes, so the problem is solved."

"Having Covid in the spring was a big blow to my morale as I had to work harder to regain the form I needed for the Giro. Fortunately I'm back and I hope to keep riding like this all the way to Verona."