Dowsett wins stage 8 of the Giro d’Italia, Almeida retains the Maglia Rosa

Alex Dowsett (Israel Start-Up Nation) soloed to win Stage 8 of the 103rd Giro d’Italia, 200km from Giovinazzo to Vieste. Breakaway companions Salvatore Puccio (Team Ineos Grenadiers) and Matthew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) finished second and third, respectively.

João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step), finishes in the main group at 13’56” from the winner and retains the Maglia Rosa, leading the general classification.

STAGE RESULTS

1 – Alex Dowsett (Israel Start-Up Nation) – 200km in 4h50’09”, average speed 41.358km/h

2 – Salvatore Puccio (Team Ineos Grenadiers) at 01’15”

3 – Matthew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)

2 – Pello Bilbao (Bahrain – McLaren) at 43”

3 – Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) at 48″

THE JERSEYS

Maglia Rosa (pink), general classification leader, sponsored by Enel – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)

Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by Segafredo Zanetti – Arnaud Démare (Groupama – FDJ)

Maglia Azzurra (blue), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Filippo Ganna (Team Ineos Grenadiers)

Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Eurospin – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Alex Dowsett said: “I don’t know what to say, I can’t say how much I needed a win like this in such a difficult year! I don’t have a contract yet for next year and with a baby coming in January, I really needed such a result so badly, I cannot believe it.”

The Maglia Rosa João Almeida said: “We are focussed on keeping the Maglia Rosa but we took it easy today. Tomorrow it will be harder, we will see if I can keep it after the stage.”

#Giro