Remco Evenepoel is back in first place in the overall classification of the Giro d’Italia. The Belgian professional cyclist won the time trial from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena on the 9th stage on Sunday (May 14th, 2023) and was allowed to put on the pink jersey again after his second stage win.
Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) arrived in Cesena in 41:24 minutes after 35 kilometers as the fastest. The finish was very close: second place went to Welshman Geraint Thomas in 41:25 minutes, ahead of his Ineos Grenadiers teammate, Tao Geoghegan Hart, in 41:26 minutes.
The previous overall leader Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM) from Norway finished 19th, 75 seconds behind after 42:39 minutes. The best German was Lennard Kämna (Bora-hansgrohe) in twelfth place, 51 seconds behind the day’s winner, Evenepoel.
Primoz Roglic is losing ground
With the success in Cesena, the Belgian extended his lead in the overall standings over his main rival Primoz Roglic from Slovenia (Jumbo-Visma), who was sixth on the day, to 47 seconds. First pursuer is Thomas, who is second, 45 seconds behind Evenepool.
“I started too fast. The second part was bad, but then I found my legs again,” said Evenepoel at the finish: “It’s not the best result, but a stage win is of course good.” A few hours later, however, the Giro was over for him: a routine test revealed a corona infection at Evenepoel, after which he withdrew from the tour.
Lennard Kämna is now ninth overall
Kämna, who is competing in the Giro this year for the first time with ambitions and is aiming for a top 10 placement, is now in eighth place.
On Monday there is a rest day on the program before the three-week Giro begins the tricky second week on Tuesday with the 196-kilometer stage from Scandiano to Viareggio.
| stage/date | length | Start and finish location |
|---|---|---|
1st stage – 06.05.2023 | 19.6 km | Fossacesia-Ortona (time trial) |
Stage 2 – 05/07/2023 | 201 km | Teramo-San Salvo |
Stage 3 – 05/08/2023 | 216 km | Vasto-Melfi |
Stage 4 – 05/09/2023 | 175 km | Venosa-Lake Laceno |
Stage 5 – 05/10/2023 | 171 km | Atripalda-Salerno |
Stage 6 – 05/11/2023 | 162 km | Naples – Naples |
Stage 7 – 05/12/2023 | 218 km | Capua-Gran Sasso d’Italia (mountain arrival) |
Stage 8 – 05/13/2023 | 207 km | Terni-Fossombrone |
Stage 9 – 05/14/2023 | 35 km | Savignano sul Rubicone – Cesena (time trial) |
Rest day – 05/15/2023 | ||
Stage 10 – 05/16/2023 | 196 km | Scandiano-Viareggio |
Stage 11 – 05/17/2023 | 219 km | Camaiore-Tortona |
Stage 12 – 05/18/2023 | 179 km | Bra-Rivoli |
Stage 13 – 05/19/2023 | 207 km | Borgofranco d’Ivrea – Crans Montana (mountain arrival) |
Stage 14 – 05/20/2023 | 193 km | Sierre-Cassano Magnago |
Stage 15 – 05/21/2023 | 195 km | Seregno-Bergamo |
Rest day – 05/22/2023 | ||
Stage 16 – 05/23/2023 | 203 km | Sabbio Chiese-Monte Bondone (mountain arrival) |
Stage 17 – 05/24/2023 | 195 km | Pergine Valsugana – Caorle |
Stage 18 – 05/25/2023 | 161 km | Oderzo-Val di Zoldo (mountain arrival) |
Stage 19 – 05/26/2023 | 183 km | Longarone – Tre Cime Lavaredo (mountain arrival) |
Stage 20 – 05/27/2023 | 18.6 km | Tarvisio-Monte Lussari Tudorg (time trial) |
Stage 21 – 05/28/2023 | 135 km | Rome – Rome |