2023-05-19 17:02:21
On the slopes of Crans Montana, the scene of the arrival at altitude of the 13th stage, Einer Rubio (Movistar) won the first big mountain stage of the Giro this Friday following a long showdown between Thibaut Pinot (Groupama FDJ) and Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost), second and third respectively.
Thrown to the front by Bruno Armirail in the brutal Croix de Coeur pass (15.4 km at 8.8%), Thibaut Pinot spent the (half) day in front with Jefferson Cepeda, Derek Gee (Israel – Premier Tech), Valentin Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroën) and Einer Rubio.
First taking the lead at the top of the first difficulty, to get closer to 14 points of the jersey of best climber, the Franc-Comtois multiplied the attacks in the final climb of Crans Montana (13 km at 7.2%). But he never managed to let go of Einer Rubio and Jefferson Cepeda.
Rubio took full advantage of the Pinot-Cepeda duel
Very nervous, he focused on the Ecuadorian, glued to his wheel at each acceleration without relaying him, forgetting the discreet Movistar rider. The Colombian always remained in contact with the duo without ever responding to their attacks and ended up surprising them in the sprint. He signs the biggest victory of his career. For Thibaut Pinot, the disappointment on arrival was immense. The Groupama-FDJ rider will console himself by once once more donning the best climber’s jersey with a 4-point lead over Davide Bais (EOLO-Kometa).
The favorites neutralize each other
On this big stage, deprived of the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass and reduced to 75 kilometers, the favorites were neutralized. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) remains in pink. Only Damiano Caruso (Bahrain – Victorious), 5th overall, went on the offensive in the last kilometers, without grabbing anything. Fallen yesterday, his teammate Jack Haig, 11th overall at the start, lost more than 4 minutes.
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