Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) made some time back on the Giro d’Italia leader Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) on stage 18 today, and now stands at 28 seconds behind the overall lead with three stages to go.
The peloton were happy to let an early group of 12 riders clear in the first 30 kilometres of racing and the group went on to build up a hefty 15 minute advantage in advance of the final first category climb to the line in Prato Nevoso; a lead that enabled them to comfortably contest the stage honours.
The stage was won by Maximilian Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors) with Rubén Plaza (Israel Cycling Academy) second and Mattia Cattaneo (Androni – Sidermec – Bottecchia) third.
On the final climb, the main peloton reduced to around 15 riders, and after a few attacks which saw riders go clear, Dumoulin launched his own attack in attempt to shake off the Maglia Rosa. The attempt was futile, but another attack from the GC group created splits in the group.
Dumoulin remained in the leading GC group, and with the Maglia Rosa distanced, he managed to eat into his deficit to the pink jersey.
“Finally I took some time back,” said DuMoulin. “Today was perfect for me, slow and then full gas uphill. I was waiting until the right moment and at two kilometres to go I tried to see what was possible.
“Yates responded to my first attack, then Froome attacked and took me and Pozzovivo. Later I found out Yates was dropped which was of course good for me, but I didn’t expect him to drop. It’s been a good day but I know that the coming two days are going to be much different so we will just have to see how things go. The race isn’t over.”
Team Sunweb coach Marc Reef said: “Today was a flat day with a mountain top finish on Prato Nevoso, a 13 kilometre climb. Our goal was to protect Tom during the day and place him well into the last climb. In the end the stage became a battle between the GC contenders. During the last 2 kilometres Yates had to let go after the attacks of Tom and Froome. It was a really good job of Tom taking 28 seconds back. He is now still 2nd, at also 28 seconds.”
