Cycling: Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) defended the Maglia Rosa with a win. The Brit won stage XNUMX of the Giro d'Italia ahead of Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and teammate Esteban Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott). Chris Froome (Sky), on the other hand, lost more than a minute and can probably say goodbye to overall victory.
Astana mercilessly chases the breakaways
The ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia chased the pros through the mountains one day before the second rest day. However, the Roccaraso climb in the first half of the race should only provide a small foretaste. Because the last 47 kilometers of the race led the peloton mostly uphill. Particularly prestigious: the Gran Sasso d'Italia final climb was last on the program 19 years ago. Back then, Marco Pantani won the mountain finish after his Giro/Tour double. Today we had to cover a whopping 225 kilometers from Pesco Sannita to Gran Sasso d'Italia. As expected, it was a matter for the climbers and class riders. Nevertheless, 14 pros figured they had good chances, who fled and were able to save themselves with a lead of eight minutes up to the final climb. There, however, Team Astana took control of the peloton and the lead dwindled.
Yates wins the Maglia Rosa - Froome again loses a lot of time
Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli) proved to be the fastest pro of the breakaways, but the 24-year-old Italian didn't stand a chance either. At the latest after Mitchelton-Scott took over the pace work, it happened to him too. Jack Haig (Mitchelton-Scott) led his captains into the last few kilometers before he was attacked by Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) ended his working day. More attacks from Miguel Angel Lopez and multiple times from Giulio Cioccone (Bardiani-CSF) followed. Gradually, the group of favorites became smaller. Also Chris Froome (Sky) and Fabio Arau (UAE Team Emirates) could no longer follow. The Mitchelton-Scott team is completely different: Stephen Chaves and Simon yates were up front when the gap opened up. Dominic Pozzo alive (Bahrain Merida) opened the sprint but Yates used his strength in the sprint to pass. Team-mate Chaves finished third behind Pinot. Victory in the Maglia Rosa for Simon Yates! The Mitchelton-Scott team remains dominant - and Chris Froome loses over a minute!
#twist101 - Stage 8
🥇- @SimonYatess
🥈- @ThibautPinot
🥉- @estecharu @chrisfroom approximately at 1'06" pic.twitter.com/5j7626JYfu- La Flamme Rouge (@ laflammerouge16) 13 May 2018