photo credits @ Giro d’Italia
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) claimed stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia today, after the Belgian rider fended off a late surge from Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) to narrowly clinch the victory in Padova.
Milan and his Lidl-Trek team controlled much of the 178-kilometer stage from Fiera di Primiero and Padova. But, the points leader found himself too far back as the peloton swept into the final meters with the Italian rider coming up short, while Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) secured the final spot on the podium.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) later finished comfortably in the main field to maintain his lead in the overall race with just three days of racing remaining.
Race Highlights
Mikkel Honoré (EF Education EasyPost), Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group Bardiani CSF Faizanè) and the Polti Koemta duo of Andrea Pietrobon and Mirco Maestri marked the day’s first breakaway effort, later building up a slight advantage of around 90-seconds over the peloton before they were reined in during the final 10 kilometers.
From there, a flurry of accelerations animated the front group, with Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) forced to chase his way back into the fold following a late bike change during the last 3 kilometers.
Heading into the final kilometer it was the Tudor Pro Cycling Team on the front, with Milan finding himself blocked out as Alberto Dainese was the first rider to open up his sprint.
But, both Dainese and a resurgent Milan were denied by Merlier, who snatched the stage honors by nary a wheel length.
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