Another 153 km – We still don’t have an early flight. The attempt by Vanhoucke, Covi and Davy came closest, but they were caught again.
Another 156 km – Unicorn gears up! Will he help teammate Bouwman to the points for the mountains classification today?
Another 159 km – The peloton is being apprehended, and who do we have there? Both Koen Bouwman and blue jersey wearer Diego Rosa can be found at the front of the pack.
160 km to go – The three in the front look back and see the pack approaching. It doesn’t seem to be long before the group is apprehended.
Another 163 km – In the front, the three riders are still riding together, although they see the lead shrink fast due to the acceleration in the front of the peloton. This is only 7 seconds†
164 km to go – Several riders risk the crossing from the peloton to the leading group, but there are no sleepyheads in the peloton. They quickly try to reconnect.
165 km to go – Teammates Castroviejo and Sivakov are doing everything they can to bring leader Carapaz back to the front of the pack.
167 km to go – The peloton is complete again, although the group with Carapaz is of course at the very back.
170 km to go – Nota bene Richard Carapaz seems to be one of those responsible for the crash, in which at least about twenty riders were involved. The Colombian is now back on his bike, after his wheel had to be tinkered briefly.
171 km to go – Fall into the pack on the straight! Among others, rosette carrier Carapaz and Yates are involved. For the time being, everyone seems to be able to continue driving, although it has of course taken a lot of time.
172 km to go – Two others join Vanhoucke. The Italian Covi and Frenchman Davy also want to be in the early flight. The trio rushes away from the peloton.
172 km to go – Harm Vanhoucke makes a hole, and also leaves Rosa behind.
173 km to go – Diego Rosa accelerates, can Koen Bouwman follow quickly? The battle for the blue jersey starts early in the stage.
174 km to go – Lotto-Soudal immediately takes responsibility in the peloton. Blue jersey wearer Diego Rosa and Arnaud Démare are also in the front.
Official launch! The fifteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia is underway and we immediately see the acceleration at the front of the peloton.
Official start! The riders are gone for the neutralization. In about ten minutes, the race director will be waving the flag for the official start.