Cycling / Giro d'Italia: Eighth stage of this year's Giro d'Italia - again there is a mass sprint. With Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), the Australian, who was already favored beforehand, secured his first stage win today. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe), who is currently so strong, has the chance to win again, but in the end he has to let Ewan and Elia Viviani (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) go first.
It was an uncomfortable, strenuous and, with increasing duration, not without danger day for the pros at this year's Giro d'Italia. The almost 240km between Tortoreto Lido and Pesaro, which was completely flat in the first half and became increasingly hilly towards the end, cost the sprinter teams a few grains. Especially Deceuninck-Quick-Step and Bora-Hansgrohe worked hard to get their two men for the finale - Ackermann and Viviani - in a good position over the three mountain classifications. The escape of the day initially seemed promising, but with the dwindling strength of the escapees, the harmony also disappeared and after a few attacks from the group, it fell apart a few kilometers from the finish.
The finale, with its fast-paced descents, was spiced up even further by the onset of rain. Luckily without any falls, we went at high speed towards the stage finish. The sprint trains formed early and Selig, Formolo and Schwarzmann also put Pascal Ackermann in a very good position. The German started the sprint early – maybe a tad too early. Caleb Ewan and Elia Viviani came from behind and managed to get past them. The Australian in particular was strong and crossed the finish line well ahead of his competitor from Italy. Nevertheless, Ackermann can look forward to a strong third place.
After a great leadout by Bora, it was Caleb Ewan who won stage 7 in Pescaro. 👏 He was just faster than Ackermann and Viviani after 239 km. Fortunately, there were no incidents at all in the last kms. 👌 (🎥 via @pasiociclismo ) #Turn pic.twitter.com/Li19p4Rlp3
— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) 18 May 2019
There were no notable shifts in the overall ranking. Valerio Conti will also be the overall leader in tomorrow's time trial.
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