Professional cyclist Benjamin Thomas has won the fifth stage of the 107th Giro d’Italia. The Frenchman from the Cofidis team led by the German Simon Geschke prevailed on Wednesday after the 178 kilometers between Genoa and Lucca as part of a four-man breakaway group ahead of the Dane Michael Valgren and the Italian Andrea Pietrobon. After his third place the day before, the German Phil Bauhaus crossed the finish line in seventh place. There were several crashes during the race, all of which had a minor outcome.
The sprint the day before caused criticism. Some professionals viewed the quick finale on Tuesday as too dangerous. The Belgian Tim Merlier, winner of the third stage, said: “I’m just happy that I’m still alive.” The German Bauhaus also said that he wasn’t a fan of the last kilometers on Tuesday.
As expected, nothing changed in the overall ranking. Tadej Pogacar remains at the top. It has been there since the second stage. The Slovenian has 46 seconds on the Briton Geraint Thomas. Behind him is the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez, captain of the German top team Bora-hansgrohe.
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The veteran Simon Geschke, who was retiring after this season and would very much like to say goodbye to the Giro with a stage win, looked for his chance in Liguria. Geschke was part of a small group that built up a lead of just over two minutes. They were overtaken 111 kilometers from the finish; Geschke had previously won the mountain classification on the Passo del Bracco.
On Thursday, the professionals expect three gravel sections over twelve kilometers on the 180 kilometers between Viareggio and Rapolano terme. Some drivers know some of the sections from the Strade Bianche one-day race.
