Paul Magnier celebrated his third stage victory shortly before the end of the Giro d’Italia. While the French sprinter celebrated again, Jonas Vingegaard held his own.
After his stage hat-trick, Magnier also grabbed the purple jersey of the best sprinter. The 22-year-old from the Soudal Quick-Step team prevailed in the mass sprint of the 18th section in Pieve di Soligo ahead of the Italians Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain-Victorious) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek). In the sprint classification he again overtook the Ecuadorian Jhonatan Narvaez – also a three-time stage winner.
Vingegaard and Gall without wasting any time
After 171 hilly kilometers there were no changes in the overall lead. Top favorite Vingegaard continues towards victory in his Giro debut, the Dane from Visma-Lease a bike goes into the last two mountain stages with a lead of 4:03 minutes over the Austrian Felix Gall (Decathlon-CMA CGM). Both crossed the finish line with the peloton at the same time as winner Magnier.
For a long time, a four-man breakaway group dominated the race. However, the quartet was stopped just under 22 kilometers from the finish before a small group led by Vingegaard was able to break away on the poisonous last climb, the wall of Ca’ del Poggio. But the top sprinters around Magnier and Milan fought their way back. In the mass sprint, Magnier gave his opponents no chance.
Crisp final days at the Giro d’Italia
The first of two remaining mountain stages is scheduled for Friday. The 19th stage leads over 151 kilometers from Feltre to Alleghe. Almost 5,000 meters of altitude have to be overcome over six rated climbs. The highest point is on the Dolomites Passo di Giau at 2,226 meters. The 109th Giro ends on Sunday with a flat section in Rome.
