photo credits @ RCS
Filippo Zana (Jayco-AIUIa) claimed stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia today, after the Italian rider has outsprinted Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) in Val di Zoldo, while pink jersey of Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) has fended off attacks by Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) to remain in the lead.
Pinot and Zana were the last two survivors of a small breakaway group, with the Italian National Champion outpowering his French rival in a battle to the summit, in doing so also reclaimed the KoM jersey as well.
Meanwhile, Roglič launched an attack on the steep slopes of the Coi alongside stage 16 winner João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates). The Slovenian rider finally went clear with Thomas with around two kilometers remaining, move up to second place, proving that the Jumbo-Visma leader, having suffered badly on stage 16, is now back on the attack.
Back up front, having distanced all of his breakaway companions but Zana, Pinot went on the attack during the final climb to try and shed his Italian rival, button no avail.
Pinot led out the sprint, but Zane proved to be too strong, coming around the Frenchman in the closing meters to clinch the stage honors.
Race Highlights
Zana and Pinot were part of a strong seven-man break that held a maximum lead of over five minutes over the peloton as the sun shone over the majestic Dolomiti Bellunesi of north-east Italy.
Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) took third place on the stage ahead of the irrepressible Derek Gee (Israel-PremierTech), compatriot Aurelien Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroen) and Italy’s Marco Frigo (Israel-PremierTech). Kazakhstan’s Vadim Pronskiy (Astana-Qazaqstan) was passed by the chasers after the GC battle kicked off on the third of five brutal climbs on the menu.
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