UAE Team Emirates’ Valerio Conti will wear the pink jersey for another day, after crossing the line on Stage seven of the Giro d’Italia with the main peloton.
The 185km route from Vasto to L’Aquila was dominated by the breakaway, and it proved successful with Pello Bilbao (Astana Pro Team) crossing the line to take the stage win.
Despite finishing just over a minute behind, the stage proved to be a reasonably comfortable day for Valerio Conti and his teammates, who looked to protect the pink jersey and ensure that UAE Team Emirates head into the weekend still holding onto the pink jersey.
Commenting on stage, Conti said: “We knew it would be a hard stage, but it was harder than expected. I want to thank the team that has proved to be a family, ready to give their all and who helped empower me along the whole 185km. I have special gratitude for them; they have gifted me another day wearing the Pink Jersey”.
There was however disappointment for Fernando Gaviria, who was forced to withdraw from the race at 50km after suffering with pain in his left knee for the last few days.
Commenting on the withdrawal, Gaviria said: “I was struggling from the start today and my left knee has been already been hurting for some days. I tried to hang on but I could barely push the pedals. It’s a pity because we were doing okay in the sprints and were ready to have another crack. The knee pain can be complicated, but I’ll rest now, take care of the knee pain and come back and build towards the next big goal”.
Tomorrow, Conti will once again be at the at the front of the pack as the riders set off on Stage eight; the longest at this year’s Giro at 239km.
Stage Seven Results
1 Pello Bilbao (Esp) Astana Pro Team 4:06:27
2 Tony Gallopin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 5”
3 Davide Formolo (Ita) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t.
48 Valerio Conti (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 1’07”
General Classification Standings
1 Valerio Conti (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 29:29:34
2 Jose Rojas (Esp) Movistar Team 1’32”
3 Giovanni Carboni (Ita) Bardiani – CSF 1’41”
