Italy’s Elia Viviani dominated a sprint finish to claim his third win of this Giro d’Italia in Friday’s 13th stage, with Britain’s Simon Yates holding the leader’s pink jersey on the eve of a grueling mountain stage to the summit of Monte Zoncolan.
Quick Step rider Viviani had struggled on Thursday, but hit back for his fourth stage success.
“It’s amazing to be back after a few difficult days,” Viviani said. “This is what I needed and what my team deserved for the great job they have done.”
Photo: AP
“I had two or three bad days, but I was still determined to keep the Maglia Ciclamino [points jersey],” he added.
Yates crossed in 34th place in the same time as the leaders to hold his 47-second advantage on defending champion Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands, who was just behind the Mitchelton rider.
France’s Thibaut Pinot of Groupama-FDJ is third overall at 1 min, 4 seconds.
Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome crossed in 65th position and remains 12th overall, trailing fellow Briton Yates by 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
Covering flat roads, the 180km stage from Ferrara to Nervesa della Battaglia was tailor-made for the fast riders of the peloton.
Vivani produced a late burst of acceleration in the dying meters to finish well ahead Ireland’s Sam Bennett, the winner of the two other group sprints.
Dutch rider Danny Van Poppel took third, followed by Italy’s Sacha Modolo, as the race finished at Nervesa della Battaglia to commemorate the centenary of a battle that was among the most significant fights in World War I.
“Until the latest possible moment I tried to stay safe,” Yates said. “The big guys in the team did a great job just keeping me at the front. It’s been the easiest day we’ve had so far. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Yesterday’s 14th stage was to leave San Vito al Tagliamento covering 186km with four climbs before the final 10.5km ascent to the summit of Monte Zoncolan, reputedly one of the toughest in Europe.
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