Week 2 of the 103rd Giro d’Italia began with a bang thanks to the exploits of Peter Sagan. Having been denied a series of bunch sprint victories, the three-time World Champion instead soloed to the win in Tortoreto on Stage 10.
In the battle for the Maglia Ciclamino, French National Champion Arnaud Démare responded immediately, taking a fourth stage win in Rimini the next day. Diego Ulissi crossed the line first on Stage 13, depriving João Almeida of his first pro win in a close sprint.
Stage win or not, João Almeida remains in the lead as we enter week 3, after 13 consecutive days wearing the Maglia Rosa. This is thanks, in part, to a strong performance in the Prosecco Superiore Wine Stage TISSOT ITT that saw the young Portuguese rider extend his advantage in the General Classification. On Stage 15, however, second-place Wilco Kelderman reduced Almeida’s lead back down to just 15 seconds ahead of the second rest day, with Jai Hindley third at 2’56”.
In week 1, Team Ineos Grenadiers made the most of their strength in depth after the withdrawal of their road captain Geraint Thomas, who left the Giro after crashing out on Stage 3. In week 2, the British outfit claimed a further three stage victories. These came courtesy of Jhonatan Narvaez, Filippo Ganna – who has claimed 3 stage wins to date – and Tao Geoghegan Hart – who currently lies fourth overall in a GC race that, in his own words, is set to be spectacular.
