Giro d'Italia: Giro d'Italia stage #19: Landa finally wins, Dumoulin loses Rosa

Cycling: Mikel Landa (Sky) secured victory on Stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia. The Spaniard proved to be the strongest of 18 breakaways. After two second places, Landa finally snagged his stage win at the 2017 Giro d'Italia. Landa is now unassailable in the mountains classification as well. Rui Costa was second in the stage again – for the third time. Overall leader Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) had a much worse day. The Dutchman was distanced from his opponents in the final climb and lost the Maglia Rosa to Nairo Quintana (Movistar). In general, the top 4 in the overall standings have moved even closer together.

Movistar tears up the field – Tom Dumoulin trailed

It came out yesterday 18st stage no time gaps between Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida). There were a few verbal tips after the race. That's another reason why today's 19th stage was eagerly awaited. This led the peloton over 191 kilometers from San Candido/Innichen to Pianacavallo. As expected, a breakaway group formed immediately after the start, but this should not be the focus of the reporting. Because when the Kreuzberg Pass was about 80 kilometers downhill, the Movistar team tore the field apart due to a wind crest. This was then divided into several parts. In addition to the overall leader Tom Dumoulin, the two other classification drivers Adam Yates (Orica-Scott) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) were also in a trailing group.

Sunweb, LottoNL-Jumbo & Orica-Scott close the gap

In both parts of the field the pace was of course at the limit. At the front, the teams from Movistar, FDJ and Bahrain-Merida ensured high speed. Team Sunweb was joined in the second part of the peloton by LottoNL-Jumbo and Orica-Scott. Although the lead was over a minute at times, the gap on the Sella Chianzutan climb could be closed again. The former breakaway group was caught during this hunt, but after the merger, a new breakaway group of 18 men was formed. Also present were Luis León Sánchez (Astana), Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac), Rui Costa (UAE) and Mikel Landa (Sky), who wanted to extend his lead in the mountains today. After two second places, he also wanted to finally win a stage at the 2017 Giro d'Italia. Also in the group were two helpers from Nairo Quintana: Joaquin Rojas and José Herrada.

Mikel Landa finally wins his stage at the 2017 Giro d'Italia

Going into the final climb, the group had a lead of more than ten minutes. Even if the mountain is not exactly short with a length of more than 15 kilometers, the lead should be enough for the group. Rudy Molard and Luis Leon Sanchez broke away from their companions, but were caught and overtaken a little later by Mikel Landa, Pierre Rolland and Rui Costa. Mikel Landa proved to be the strongest rider in the leading group, especially on the steep sections. In his blue mountain jersey, he was finally able to put his hands up at the finish line in Piancavallo. So no one should be able to take the mountain jersey from the Spaniard. Rui Costa secured second place ahead of Pierre Rolland. This is the third time that the Portuguese has to settle for second place at this year's Giro d'Italia.

Pitch black day for Tom Dumoulin

While the breakaways were fighting for the day's victory, the group of favorites was fighting for the overall victory. Relatively early on in the climb it was evident that Tom Dumoulin didn't seem to be in good shape today. He was at the end of the group and struggled to keep up the pace. Naturally, the Movistar and Bahrain-Merida teams took note and picked up the pace. Tom Dumoulin let it tear off and only had the German Simon Geschke at his side for a short time. Meanwhile, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) attacked first, later Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r) also broke away. Nairo Quintana used his breakaway team-mates as a relay station, letting them set the pace of the group. However, the Colombian was no longer able to attack. Quintana was 12 seconds behind Pinot. Tom Dumoulin lost 69 seconds on Quintana and with it the Maglia Rosa.

The result of the 19st stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia 2017

The overall standings of the 100th Giro d'Italia 2017 after 19 of 21 stages