The 100 flat start-up kilometers were colored by Lawrence Naesen, Alessandro De Marchi and Mattia Bais. The three rode together for a 6’30” lead, but no one ever doubted that the winner was in the pack.
The boys from Alpecin-Fenix and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert put themselves in the lead in a whole day ahead of Mathieu van der Poel and Biniam Girmay, who earlier this Giro fought a small war of words. Lotto-Soudal initially also contributed, but the red brigade quickly gave up.
It soon became clear why: already on the first short climb of the final, Caleb Ewan had to let the peloton drive. Not much later, Mark Cavendish also went overboard, Arnaud Démare only had to release on the last climb of the day.
Nobody got away on that Mansano. Covi (UAE) was the only one who tried uphill, but was blown back by itself.
In the descent, Van der Poel then took off himself, he was also caught by the boys of Intermarché again, the three of whom still made it to the final. For a moment, Girmay’s light went out. He missed a corner, but picked up again at the back.
At 300m from the end, Girmay flew out of Pozzovivo’s wheel for a very long sprint. Van der Poel seemed to have the best final shot, also passed, but did not have the legs to go over the Eritrean.
So again Girmay is writing cycling history. Earlier this season he was the first African to win Gent-Wevelgem, now he is the first black African to win a stage in the Giro. So what a season for the 22-year-old.
