Benjamin Thomas is happy about his success. © ANSA / ZEN

A surprise triumph at the Giro d'Italia

French professional cyclist Benjamin Thomas surprisingly won the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia.

08 Maj 2024

From: dpa/det

The 28-year-old from Team Cofidis prevailed on Wednesday after 178 kilometers from Genoa to Lucca in a sprint from a breakaway group of four. The Italian top sprinter Jonathan Milan, victorious the day before, won the sprint of the peloton and had to settle for fifth place, eleven seconds behind.

There were no changes in the overall standings, UAE star Tadej Pogacar continues to lead with a lead of 46 seconds over Welshman Geraint Thomas (Ineos). The Slovenian survived the flat stage without any problems with several minor falls.

A first victory

For Benjamin Thomas, multiple world champion on the track and Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo in the Madison, it was the first stage victory in one of the major national tours, and for his team Cofidis the first victory this year. The Dane Michael Valgren (EF Education) came second ahead of the Italian Andrea Pietrobon (Polti-Kometa), who started his sprint to the finish line too early and was intercepted.

After crossing the finish line, Thomas was overjoyed. © ANSA / ZEN

At the start of the race, a four-man breakaway group broke away, but was caught up again on the only difficult climb of the day. About 80 kilometers from the finish, another group around Thomas tried it out and saved a small lead to the finish.

So it goes on

On Thursday the sixth section over 180 km from Viareggio to Rapolano terme is on the program. There are also three gravel sections to overcome, which were already covered in the Strade Bianche one-day race this year. Pogacar won this in March with a show of force.