GERAINT THOMAS SURRENDERED the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia to Bruno Armirail as Nico Denz secured his second stage triumph within three days.
Denz, who claimed his maiden Grand Tour stage win on Thursday, reacted quickly after Alberto Bettiol attempted to breakaway in the final kilometre on the approach to Cassano Magnago in Italy.
And in a gripping sprint finish, the German Bora–Hansgrohe rider just about held off the advancing Derek Gee to cross the line first in the 194-kilometre stage 14 race, with Bettiol finishing third.
“I felt supergood and so I managed to get again into the breakaway,” Denz said. “We were lucky to close the gap just inside the final kilometre.
“I felt very good and when Bettiol launched his sprint I followed him and then I went full gas until the line. It was a very tough day but it ended well for me.”
Armirail finished 40 seconds down on the leading pack but will be in pink in Sunday’s 195km mountain stage from Seregno to Bergamo after going to the top of the general classification.
Thomas, who has held the leader’s jersey for the last four stages following Remco Evenepoel’s withdrawal after a positive Covid test, is now one minute and 41 seconds behind Armirail.
The French Groupama rider said: “The plan was more about the stage win (on Saturday). We thought one day the Maglia Rosa could be up for grabs. But we didn’t think it would be today.
“I had tried on stage four and I was disappointed that I wasn’t on a good day. Only once Geraint Thomas crossed the line, it became a reality in my mind but it’s hard to realise.”
The Sky commentators really nailed their colours to the mast today trying to come up with every scenario possible in the hope that Russell and Hamilton would reach the chequered flag first.
@Leonard Barry: imagine British media backing British drivers, you’d wanna tune into Ziggo
There was no chance Hamilton wins after the full Safety Car. Even if they left Russell sandwiched in between (which in theory, they should have), Verstappen would have easily cleared both Mercs in two laps top considering how little grip the Mediums had.
Also, Perez is gonna start putting potential RB wins in jeopardy with performances like this weekend. Very poor
@Darren: 100%, max on same tyres as any Mercedes’ and he’s passing them, Hamilton’s a dose
@Darren: Perez should be doing a lot better considering he has got the best equipment and driving for the best team on the grid, I think Redbull would be better off having Ricardo back at the team but I doubt very much that will happen.
@Leonard Barry: if it was horners decision I could see it being a possibility but Helmut wouldn’t allow it as he lost all respect for him when he walked away from the fight to be no1 at RedBull
@Darren: definitely. Toto Wolff was trying to imply Tsunoda’s admittedly ridiculous incident was somehow on purpose. Wow I used to think that guy was cool. Now he has this “everyone’s out to get us”, attitude.
@Andrew Keane: My thoughts on Mercedes are definitely not suitable for this App so I’ll just leave it there..
@Andrew Keane: ya he’s gone as bad as Horner now with the nonsense conspiracies.
Ferrari doing a Ferrari again today. They really need to up their standards. Sainz will be raging!
Season over