Tomorrow is a rest day and for the first time this week the sun is shining in Italy and a course with four challenging climbs.
Finally a sporting spectacle among the men of the Giro classification, right?
No, again the leaders did not use the many altimeters inspired by the Tour of Lombardy. Only in the hard ending did they tickle each other, but that was a measure of nothingness.
Bruno Armirail can keep his pink jersey as usual. It’s all in the hard past week then.
Fortunately, the lead group colored the trail again today.
Nothing with them dolce nenet away. From the descent of the flag, a colorful group of seventeen runners formed up front. Sprinters like Vincenzo Albanese or Davide Ballerini, climbers like Ben Healy or Brandon McNulty, freestylers like Laurens Huys or Marco Frigo… all kinds of riders were in attendance.
However, all the non-climbers passively allowed themselves to be led to carnage. No one dared to anticipate the last ascent, as the climbing types immediately left the rest with an expected move.
Only Healy, McNulty and Frigo entered the final together. On the Hunchback of Bergamo, the Irishman played hangman in the final, but Healy also failed to free his unruly opponents in the finale.
Next time he would use his powers more sparingly in the lead-up. On the last straight, the Irishman also had to answer a finishing lunge from Frigo, who appeared from the background for the second time.
With this overexertion, he put McNulty in a seat. The American still has all the trouble in the world for revenge, but he still throws his bike past his opponent. The most beautiful victory in the American march.
Brandon McNulty (1st): “It’s indescribable. My goal was to win here. I tried to go solo, but Healy was really strong. I’m really happy that I finally made it in the race. We came here as a team for the general classification, but also for a stage win for me.” So we can now fully focus on Almeida, who is also looking good.”
Ben Healy (2nd): “I tried to get McNulty released several times, but I never succeeded. He was really strong today. Proud or down? Both. I hope the crowd got a great show today.”
“Subtly charming internet specialist. Avid writer. Friendly alcohol guru. Music ninja. Devoted social media fanatic.”
More Stories
End of Vuelta ordeal: Belgian hope Lennert van Eetvelt out of Tour
This was a powerful opening ceremony for the Paralympics, steeped in symbolism and French charm.
Mathias Delorg helps KAA Gent reach sixth straight European group stage