Team Sunweb’s Tom Dumoulin retained his lead in the overall standings of the Giro d’Italia today after an action-packed queen stage of the race today while Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) took the stage win.
With just over 30 kilometres remaining, Dumoulin was forced to stop for a natural break at the side of the road. The Dutchman was suffering from stomach problems as they headed towards the final climb. As Dumoulin pulled in for his emergency stop, the attacks started with Ilnur Zakain (Katusha-Alpecin) the first to go clear.
This set the tone as Nibali’s Bahrain-Merida team and the Movistar team of Nairo Quintana pushed on without waiting for Dumoulin.
Nibali was to go clear on the final descent to battle for the stage win with Mikel Landa (Team Sky) as Dumoulin struggled behind.
Nibali won the sprint ahead of Landa with Quintana finishing 12″ down. It was another two minutes before the race leader crossed the line and his lead has been cut to just 31 seconds ahead of Quintana.
After the stage Dumoulin said: “At that moment I needed to stop to answer natures call. When I was chasing back I decided to fight and not give up and then see where we were at after the finish. It was tough out there on my own and of course it’s dissapointing. The legs were good and I feel like I could have been up there with the other GC group but that’s not how it worked out, it’s too bad.”
Team Sunweb coach Aike Visbeek added: “Looking at everything apart from Tom’s stop, everything was great. The team were strong, the tactical plan worked and everything was good. Tom was also strong on the climb, fast on the descent and going just as well as the other guys in front. We lost some of the lead but Tom is still in pink, which is the most important thing. Looking ahead we still have a time trial in Milan and over the coming days we have more good opportunities for Tom.”
The unwritten rules of cycling have spoken
Nibali’s a proven cheat and hopefully Quintana will get his comeuppance. Brilliant riding by Dumoulin
Especially when Tom slowed the pace of the last race when Quintana fucked off his bike, let’s face it they are going to need 2 mins plus on the next time trial. Impressive effort today
Hopefully he’ll smash them to pieces on the next tt stage
Oh he will
So, let me get this straight. Quintana crashes because he misjudged a corner (as in, his own damn fault) and Dumoulin convinces everyone to hold their horses and wait for Quintana to return. Dumoulin has … uhm… plumbing issues, which he can’t help and no one waits for him? Classy.
May the teams that went on the attack today be plagued with flats tomorrow.
I’m sure that if this was the 90’s, Quintana and Knobali would be 20 minutes ahead on the GC
Quintanas excuse of katusha pushing was poor, he could of held off, poor sportsmanship, hopefully Tom isn’t too shot for today’s stage, and nails the coffin in them both on the TT
Anyone notice that the guys that attacked Zacharin Pelazotti both have a history of drug cheating. And Niboli holds onto cars when he is dropped. And Quintana goes full gas when blokes hit the deck
Quintana has no class. C’mon Dumoulin …and Yatesy.