Cycling: Dan Martin won the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia. The Irishman was the only escape and won ahead of Joao Almeida and Simon Yates. Leader Egan Bernal lost valuable time for the first time and at times revealed major weaknesses.
Dan Martin keeps all favorites at bay
Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) has won Stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia. The Irishman was the only escape from the favorites to save himself across the finish line. On the 193-kilometre section from Canazei to Sega di Ala things got down to business surprisingly early, as the BikeExchange team pushed the pace on the penultimate climb. Then on the last mountain of the day Simon yates (BikeExchange) and Joao almeida (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) set their attack revealed Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) weaknesses for the first time. The Colombian couldn't follow and seemed to stall at times. While Almeida and Yates finished just 13 and 30 seconds behind the day's winner, Bernal lost a whopping 83 seconds. In the overall standings, however, the man in pink is still the clear leader. If his phase of weakness continues, however, things could get tight again in the fight for overall victory.
Großschartner in the breakaway group
19 riders broke away from the peloton ahead of the tough climbs including below Felix Grossschartner (Bora – hansgrohe). But the Austrian fell on Passo San Valentino already back in the peloton with a few companions. Especially the BikeExchange team around Simon Yates ensured a high speed and the recovery. Just the Irishman Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation), the Italian Gianni moscon (Ineos Grenadiers), the Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R – Citroen) and the Spaniard Antonio Pedrero placeholder image (Movistar) were able to save themselves over the summit at the very front. When the favorites attacked on the final climb, the lead collapsed. Only Dan Martin was able to defend himself against being caught up to the end.
Evenepoel crashes on the descent
On the descent from Passo San Valentino, some riders fell in a right-hand bend. Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) flew over the crash barrier and landed on it. The Belgian, who fell off a bridge a few months ago, got back on his bike after a short treatment. He finished more than half an hour behind the day's winner, Dan Martin. Unfortunately no longer there Remy Rochas (Cofidis) and Victor Campenaerts (Qhubeka-Assos). However, neither was involved in this fall.
Dan Martin wins the 17th stage in the Giro, Bernal is not touchable #Turn #twist21 pic.twitter.com/zIz5ichreB
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) May 26, 2021