Geraint Thomas boosted his bid to change into the Giro d’Italia’s oldest winner by shifting back into the chief’s pink jersey on Tuesday as the race exploded into life firstly of a dramatic and decisive last week within the Dolomites.
Joao Almeida received the powerful sixteenth stage atop Monte Bondone for his first victory in a Grand Tour. The Portuguese bicycle owner crossed the summit end simply forward of Thomas, who additionally picked up helpful bonus seconds. Primoz Roglic was third 25 seconds additional behind.
The end result noticed Thomas transfer back into the lead, 18 seconds forward of Almeida and 29 in entrance of Roglic.
“Yeah it would have been nice to win the stage, but it was one of them where I had to keep riding, didn’t want to play cat and mouse with João with Roglič behind,” stated Thomas.
“So we worked well together … and unfortunately he had the jump on me and won the sprint. But it’s nice to be back in pink and to gain some time.”
Thomas turns 37 on Thursday, three days earlier than the race ends in Rome. The oldest Giro winner is Fiorenzo Magni, who was 34 when he received in 1955.
Tuesday marked the start of a brutal last week. It was one in every of three of the final six phases which were given the utmost problem ranking of 5 stars.
There was greater than 5,000 meters of elevation and 5 categorized climbs alongside the 203-kilometer route from Sabbio Chiese, together with the top-category climb to the end. And it was on that climb to Monte Bondone that the race sparked into life.
Almeida attacked with lower than seven kilometers remaining and Thomas made his transfer shortly after, bridging throughout to arrange the battle for the stage win.
Almeida has worn the maglia rosa earlier than however by no means received a stage within the three earlier occasions he has competed within the Giro.
“I’m super happy, it’s a dream come true, after four years I was always so close and so far at the same time,” Almeida stated. “Finally I acquired it so yeah I’m tremendous, tremendous completely happy, I don’t have phrases to explain it.
“It was a super hard day, always up and down, for the legs it was super hard, I would say the hardest so far,” he continued. “I was feeling good and I took the risk to go for it. If you don’t try you never know. I tried and I achieved it.”
Wednesday’s 17th stage gives a quick respite as the 195-kilometer (121-mile) route from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle begins with a gradual descent earlier than a protracted, flat end which is more likely to finish in a bunch dash.
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