Kristoff podiums in Mallorca as Formolo climbs GC at Giro

Alexander Kristoff came within touching distance of victory today at the Trofeo Alcudia-Port d’Alcudia (1.1) with second place to wrap up a very successful week of racing at the Challenge Mallorca.
Kristoff: “It was a good race and I felt strong. The team did a good job to control the attacks from the start and not let any big groups go away. I was in a decent position for the sprint but in the final I just couldn’t get around Greipel. It’s been a long week here in Mallorca with some very good results so we’re heading to the next races satisfied. I’m confident that my shape is going the right way and I’m motivated for the next races.”

The podium place of Kristoff concludes an eventful week which saw a victory on the opening day for Ryan Gibbons in the Trofeo Calvia (1.1), second place for Vegard Stake Laengen at the Trofeo Andratx – Mirador des Colomer (1.1) and fifth for Kristoff at the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (1.1).

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Meanwhile at the Giro d’Italia, Stage 9 took the riders on the mountainous trek from Castel di Sangro to Campo Felice (Rocca di Cambio (158km), with Diego Ulissi animating the break of the day.

The Italian veteran infiltrated the main break before being brought back inside 10km to go on the final ascent to the gravel road finish to Campo Felice. Davide Formolo continued his consistent run of form, stayed with the main contenders and moving back up to 10th of GC at 55’’ off Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) who took the stage and the Maglia Rosa.

Formolo: “We tried hard at the start of the stage to get Ulissi in the breakaway and then when it went clear I focussed on conceiving energy and being there for the battle in the finish. The pace was high on the last climb and particularly on the gravel section Tomorrow is the last stage of to end the first week and it’s a hard one so we’ll aim to finish it off well.”

Stage 10 tomorrow from L’Aquila to Foligno (139km) will end the first week of racing before the rest day on Tuesday.

Trofeo Alcudia-Port d’Alcudia Results
1.Andre Greipel (Israel Start Up Nation) 3:50:24
2. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3.Christophe Noppe (Arkea-Samsic) s.t

Giro d’Italia Stage 9 results

1.Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) 4:08:23
2.Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) +7’’
3.Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) s.t
11. Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +12’’

Giro d’Italia General Classification after stage 9

1.Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) 4:08:23
2. Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) +15’’
3. Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) +21’’
10. Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +1’01’’