Nico Denz received his second stage in three days in the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, edging a dramatic dash in Cassano Magnago after a protracted breakaway in the rain.
In a photograph end, the German crossed the line barely half a wheel forward of Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) in the 14th stage.
Bruno Armirail, in the meantime, took the chief’s pink jersey from Geraint Thomas who crossed the line in the firm of his team-mates, 21 minutes 16 seconds behind the stage winner.
All three riders had been half of a breakaway of 29 that bought away from the peloton virtually from the starting of the 194km stage at Sierre, earlier than splitting into a number of small teams.
Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) was third whereas French nationwide time trial champion Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) rolled in 50 seconds after the winner to change into the first Frenchman since Laurent Jalabert in 1999 to guide the Giro.
“That wasn’t really the plan,” stated Armirail. “The goal was to get into the breakaway and aim for the stage win. I can’t believe I’m taking the pink jersey.”
Armirail holds a lead of just below two minutes from Thomas as they head into Sunday’s stage 15.
Denz admitted on Thursday that he had deliberate to win that day’s stage however this second win leant itself extra to opportunism as the breakaway constructed an impregnable lead over the peloton in troublesome situations.
“I had the opportunity to go for the break again today, which I used,” he stated. “When Bettiol launched I jumped on his wheel and went via to the line. Again, loopy!
“It was so powerful at the moment. Down from the move I had three jackets on, I used to be so chilly. It was actually disgusting.
“In the end it’s just a question of mindset. I knew I was going well and I wanted to give it a try. Super happy!”
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