Nico Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) has his second stage win this Giro. The German beat his fellow escapees in an ultimate sprint after a tiring, rain-soaked stage. Geraint Thomas took a day off and donated the pink jersey to Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ).
The 14th stage of the Giro in a nutshell:
- Winner of the day: After a spectacular final full of surprising twists, Nico Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) was again the strongest today. Just like 2 days ago, the German is the winner from the early breakaway. Denz is not a winner, but he seems to be in the shape of his life.
- Winner of the day (2): He may not win the stage, but Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) is still on the podium with a big smile. The Frenchman was still 18 minutes behind Geraint Thomas this morning, but after a short day in the peloton, that gap has been completely erased. Armirail may start in pink tomorrow.
- Morning: A mini version of the Tour of Lombardy awaits the riders on Sunday. Will we finally see a battle for the stage victory between the classification men? Or is it another prize for the early breakaway?
Denz scores 2 out of 2 with a new refugee chance, Thomas gives up the pink jersey
A stage with a mountain pass above 2000 meters that would culminate in a mass sprint, on paper it sounds very unbelievable.
The top of that Simplon pass may have been 140 kilometers from the finish, but there was no organized pursuit in the peloton.
Fernando Gaviria himself then slipped into the breakaway of the day, together with 28 other riders.
This included renowned stage hijackers such as Alberto Bettiol, Bauke Mollema and Warren Barguil. Also 3 compatriots were present with Pieter Serry, Otto Vergaerde and Laurenz Rex.
Bettiol opened the final 60 kilometers from the end, but was not part of the first major move.
4 riders rode away from their former flight companions for almost a minute: Davide Ballerini, Laurenz Rex, Stefano Oldani and Toms Skujinš.
In the sloping end of the stage, the quartet came within range of the strongest pursuers.
Nico Denz hit again after a spectacular final phase.
The increasing final kilometer turned out to be too much for Ballerini and co. Bettiol gave them a shot in the neck by going up and over.
Nico Denz and Derek Gee also came from the wheel of the Italian. Just like the day before yesterday, the German was again the fastest escapee on the line.
Gee finishes 2nd in a Giro stage for the 3rd time in a week. A strong Laurenz Rex finished 4th.
Bruno Armirail was also part of that breakaway of 29. The Frenchman was the best placed in the standings, although that was more than 18 minutes behind Geraint Thomas.
At first glance, therefore, no threat to the pink, were it not for the peloton inserting another day off. Armirail can put on the jersey tomorrow and a 1’41” lead over Thomas.
Stage winner Denz: “Insane to win 2 stages here”
Until a few days ago Nico Denz (29) only 3 pro victories to his name. 2 Giro stages will be added in one fell swoop.
“It’s crazy”, the German cannot hide his surprise.
Denz was the only Bora-Hansgrohe rider in the large leading group and seemed to be late for the 3 leaders.
“In the last 10 kilometers we gave everything in the pursuit. I am very happy that we came back.”
Another day in the Giro, and again the rain poured down from the sky. “It was a freezing cold day, the rain felt like ice. I had 3 raincoats on and I could use a 4th or 5th.”
Pink jersey Armirail: “I didn’t think about pink jersey until the last 5 kilometers”
Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) is the first Frenchman this century to wear the pink jersey. No one expected that this morning.
“The plan was to break away and aim for the stage victory. I already tried to take the pink jersey in the 4th stage, but I didn’t have a good day.”
When did Armirail realize that it was possible to take the pink jersey today?
“I only thought about it in the last 5 kilometers, before that I thought more about the stage win.”
“This is great for the team after Thibaut’s (Pinot, ed.) 2nd place yesterday. For me personally, this is a dream come true.”
