Ackermann takes huge win at Giro d’Italia

UAE Team Emirates took its first victory of this years Giro d’Italia with Pascal Ackermann sprinting home to win stage 11 from Camaiore to Tortona (219km).

The German sprinter benefitted from a superb leadout from Ryan Gibbons who expertly navigated the final kilometres to deliver Ackermann to take his first Grand Tour win in UAE colours.

The race was held under tough conditions which saw many riders on the ground in various crashes including Alessandro Covi who was able to remount and successfully finish the stage. He was checked-over by team medical staff after the line and was later brought to a local hospital for further checks with results pending.

Joao Almeida moves up to 3rd place behind race leader Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) after the withdrawal of Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos-Grenadiers). The Portuguese rider continues to lead the white jersey classification.

Ackermann: “I’m so happy with this one. It was a nervous finish. Gibbons did an amazing job bringing me to the front and I saw that Cavendish was moving out so I used his wheel as a leadout. I’m so happy to show that I’m still here. My morale is sky-high now and I’m savouring this victory, it’s been a long time coming.”

Tomorrow the Giro continues with another medium mountain stage from Bra to Rivoli (179km).

Stage results

1.Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) 5:09:02
2.Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious) s.t
3.Mark Cavendish (Astana) s.t

General Classification after stage 11

1.Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) 44:35:35
2.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +2’’
3.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +22’’