The first part of the Giro d’Italia has seen the rise of Filippo Ganna, freshly crowned world champion for time trial. The Italian from Ineos Grenadiers smashed the opening time trial in Palermo, Sicily, before winning the in-line Stage 5 solo in rainy and hilly racing conditions.
Portugal’s João Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick Step) took the Maglia Rosa over from him on Stage 3 atop Etna and retained the lead in the overall ranking until the first rest day. With Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates), having won Stage 2 to Agrigento, Italian and French riders cumulated three victories each as Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) proved to be the best sprinter of the first week of the 103rd Giro d’Italia with three stage wins so far.
Ecuador’s Jonathan Caicedo and Portugal’s Ruben Guerreiro, both from EF Pro Cycling, and Briton Alex Dowsett (Israel Start-Up Nation) who claimed a very emotional victory in Vieste are the other top achievers after nine stages.
The Corsa Rosa resumes tomorrow, with the 177km Lanciano – Tortoreto Stage 10.