Wednesday Could 15, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Jonathan Milan has received the eleventh stage of the Giro d’Italia 2024, following a dash duel with Tim Merlier. The large Italian from Lidl-Trek waited for the appropriate second within the bunch dash and managed to cross Merlier with a robust dash. In the long run, Kaden grew to become Groves and never Merlier, as a result of the Belgian made a harmful maneuver within the dash. Fabio Jakobsen sprinted for the primary time, however fell nervously. Tadej Pogačar retains his pink jersey.
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The day of the eleventh stage began with – once more – dangerous information for Visma | Lease a Bike. After Olav Kooij’s retirement on Tuesday, classification chief Cian Uijtdebroeks additionally needed to drop out as a result of sickness. A significant setback for the yellow-black formation, which was due to this fact in a position to begin uninhibited within the largely flat stage of 207 kilometers from Foiana di Val Fortore to Francavilla Al Mare.
There have been a number of extra meters of elevation within the first 70 kilometers, together with the climb of Pietracatella (7.8 km at 5.7%). Nonetheless, nothing particular occurred within the peloton in that part, as a result of three escapees rode away early following the beginning sign. Visma | Lease a Bike had nothing left to lose and included Edoardo Affini and Tim van Dijke within the breakaway. They rode away with Thomas Champion from Cofidis and by no means obtained greater than a three-minute lead from the peloton.
Van Dijke (left) and Affini (proper) within the main group of the day – photograph: Cor Vos
By no means greater than three minutes
It was the sprinter groups, primarily from Lidl-Trek and Soudal Fast-Step, who instantly took management and didn’t let the main group drive away too far. Later, the groups of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jayco AlUla additionally lent a serving to hand within the pursuit. When Affini, Van Dijke and Champion first reached the shoreline, regarding 100 kilometers from the end, the distinction had even dropped to underneath a minute.
A bunch dash was written within the stars. Additionally for Fabio Jakobsen, who survived the opening part properly and was in a position to put together for his first actual dash alternative of this spherical. dsm-firmenich PostNL didn’t lead the pack. Issues went quick there, as a result of Affini, Van Dijke and Champion have been already caught 35 kilometers from the end. That was simply earlier than the bonus dash, the place Geraint Thomas surprisingly took two seconds. The opposite favorites didn’t dare to dash.
photograph: Cor Vos
Lightning quick finale and a number of nervousness
The tempo was excessive, partly as a result of wind alongside the coast that favored the peloton, and the riders rode for the quickest timetable. What made the ultimate part attention-grabbing was that the riders made a U-turn greater than three kilometers earlier than the end and due to this fact began sprinting towards a robust headwind.
However then it needed to be a dash. Andrea Piccolo was shortly caught following an assault try and within the hectic Felix Großschartner and Kevin Vermaerke fell within the preliminary ultimate. Afterwards, a number of trains have been shaped within the ultimate, on the one hand for the sprinters and then once more to maintain the classification man out of bother. That every one went with none main issues, together with that U-turn.
Milan has the appropriate timing, Jakobsen crashes laborious
Timing was the important thing phrase within the ultimate kilometers alongside the shoreline of Francavilla Al Mare. Alpecin-Deceuninck began the final kilometer within the lead, however Kaden Groves had misplaced his prepare. In consequence, the group was considerably misplaced and in the end Soudal Fast-Step took over in service of Merlier. The Belgian waited a very long time, however was nonetheless the primary to start out his dash at 200 meters. That turned out to be too early, as a result of Jonathan Milan sprinted to victory with power majeure.
Merlier and Groves crossed the road in second and third, however greater than half an hour following the end Merlier was faraway from the highest of the outcomes. As a result of he deviated from his line and hindered Juan Sebastián Molano, he was declassified and put once more within the outcomes.
Within the background, Fabio Jakobsen appeared to have the ability to dash once more for the primary time, however he ended up within the crowd and crashed as a result of a rider from Intermarché-Wanty crashed in entrance of him. Jakobsen may not keep away from him and fell laborious on his once more.
