Cycling: Alessandro Covi has won the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia. On the 168-kilometer route from Belluno to Marmolada, the 23-year-old runaway confidently prevailed over his former companions. Behind him, Jai Hindley took the pink jersey from his competitor Richard Carpaz.
Covi attacks early and rewards
The winner of the last mountain stage of this year's Giro d'Italia is called Alessandro Covi (UAE). The Italian was part of a large breakaway group that gradually fell apart. Already in the penultimate climb, Covi broke away from his companions and could no longer be caught by his pursuers either on the descent or on the steep final climb. The Italians celebrate another stage win for their heroes and the escapees were once again successful.
Kämna tried again
The breakaway group of the day was able to break away from the peloton after a short fight after the start. 15 men, including the German Lennard Kamna (Bora – hansgrohe) and the stage winners Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) and Julius Ciccone (Trek – Segafredo) were quickly given a big lead. In the penultimate climb - the 2.239 meter high Passo Pordoi and thus the highest mountain classification of this year's Giro d'Italia - the eventual stage winner was able to assert himself Alessandro Covi (UAE) and pull out a lead of more than two minutes. His pursuers didn't really get any closer to him on the descent either. So the Italian drove into the final climb with a respectable lead and didn't let his success be taken away from him.
Hindley finally gets rid of Carapaz
Of course, the 168-kilometer section from Belluno to Marmolada also offered the strong climbers another chance to win time. Especially the final ascent - the Passo Fedaia - with its 10,4 percent steep ramp should once again ensure a selection. The team Bahrain - Victorious seems to have big plans, as they relieved Ineos Grenadiers of the work throughout the day. But it should not pay off, because as in the final climb Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) launched the first attack, burst Mikel Landa (Bahrain – Victorious) away immediately. Could only follow once more Jay Hindley (Bora – hansgrohe). Then to Lennard Kamna was pushed up, he once again pushed the pace for his leader. And he managed to finally get rid of opponent Carapaz. The Ecuadorian literally collapsed and was then even caught up by other drivers.
Was that the Giro win for Hindley?
That the 20th stage could decide the Giro d'Italia was not a particularly daring assumption even before the start of the Tour of Italy. Nobody could have guessed that the first two in the overall standings were only three seconds apart. But now, after that brutal stage 20, the fight for the pink jersey seems to be decided. Jay Hindley is Richard Carapaz finally got rid of in the mountains. The lead is still not that big, but the Australian is considered to be the slightly better time trialist than the Ecuadorian anyway.
COVI CLAIMS IT
The Italian takes Stage 20 after a dominant run#Turn pic.twitter.com/lbCBKfMuLu
- Eurosport (@eurosport) May 28, 2022