Filippo Zana took the day's victory. © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

Next Italian Giro triumph

In the duel of superstars, Olympic champion Primoz Roglic has returned to the 106th Giro d'Italia. Filippo Zana, on the other hand, took the day's victory from Oderzo to Val di Zoldo. The Italian champion left his fiercest rivals behind.

25 May 2023

From: dpa/dl

At the top of the overall standings remains former Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, who arrived in Val di Zoldo on his 37th birthday together with the resurgent Slovenian Primoz Roglic, almost two minutes behind the breakaways. Roglic moved past the Portuguese Joao Almeida to second place in the overall ranking and can continue to dream of his first Giro triumph. The Slovenian professional cyclist had shown weaknesses during the stage, but was at his best in the final. Thomas is now 29 seconds ahead of Roglic, closely followed by Almeida (+0:39).

In the fight for the day's victory, Zana prevailed in the sprint against the French star Thibaut Pinot. The former Tour third-placed Pinot moved up to seventh place in the overall ranking and kept the mountain jersey. Incidentally, this was the fourth Italian victory in this year's Giro, meaning that Green-White-Red replaced Germany as the best nation in terms of victories.

Primoz Roglic (left) caught up with Geraint Thomas. © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

Giro rolls through South Tyrol

The next exchange of blows in the mountains follows on Friday, when the extremely difficult final climb to the Three Peaks with gradients of 18 percent awaits the riders. In total, there are three first and two second category climbs to be overcome on the 183 kilometer long 19th stage from Longarone to the mountain finish. This is the only stage that leads through South Tyrol. It leads over the Dolomites - from Longarone - to the Three Peaks. The mountain time trial to Monte Lussari follows on Saturday, before the final stage with start and finish in Rome on Sunday should be a sprinter's affair.