Ulissi 5th on longest day of Giro d’Italia

Diego Ulissi came close again to taking his first win of the season, placing 5th after a day long escape at the Giro d’Italia.

After many attempts a breakaway finally formed after the first hour of racing which includes Maximiliano Richeze and Diego Ulissi of UAE Team Emirates.

The group build a huge lead of over 20’ on the peloton over the largely flat route from Rovereto to Stradella (231km), the longest stage of the 2021 edition of the Corsa Rosa.

 
Inside 20km to go the only Cat.4 climb of the day split the group with Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quickstep) going clear as eventual stage winner Alberto Bettiol (EF Education First) went off in pursuit, catching and passing the Frenchman. Ulissi led the chase behind, coming home 18’’ down in 5th spot on the line.

Ulissi : “The team did a great job today from the start to get me into the breakaway. It was a very strong break and we worked well together. Bettiol had the best legs today. I‘m happy with my form here in the last week and we’ll keep pressing on for that win soon.”

Egan Bernal continues to lead the race with Davide Formolo moving up a place to 14th at 29’17’’. Tomorrow stage 19 is back to the mountains and takes the riders from Abbiategrasso to Alpe di Mera (Valsesia) (166km).

Giro d’Italia Stage 18 results

1.Alberto Bettiol (EF Education First)
2.Simone Consonni (Cofidis) +17’’
3.Nicolas Roche (DSM) s.t
5.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) +18’’

 
Giro d’Italia General Classification after stage 18

1.Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) 77:10:18
2.Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) +2’24’’
3.Simon Yates (BikeExchange) 3’23’’
14. Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +29’17’’