Pelayo Sanchez couldn't believe his triumph on the 6th stage of the Giro. © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

Spanish surprise winner on the 6th stage of the Giro

The 6th stage of the Giro was tough. While Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the overall standings, a Spaniard celebrated his biggest career win to date.

09 Maj 2024

From: apa/mv

Like the day before, the 6th stage of the Giro d'Italia was the prey of a runaway. Surprise man Pelayo Sanchez secured Spain's first Giro stage victory in almost five years. The Movistar rider beat his last two fellow escapees, two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe and Australian Luke Plapp, in a sprint on the way to his biggest victory to date after 180 km from Viareggio to Rapolano Terme.

Alaphilippe, for his part, missed out on breaking into an illustrious circle. The French world champion from 2020 and 2021 is still missing a stage win on the Tour of Italy; he has already won a stage on the Tour of Spain and France.

In the hectic stage with three gravel sections at the finish, Tadej Pogacar successfully defended the overall leader's pink jersey. The top favorite from Slovenia remains in the lead in the rankings ahead of the Welshman Geraint Thomas and the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez.

Still at the front: Tadej Pogacar. © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

Given the high temperatures and dry weather, the professionals swallowed a lot of dust on the white gravel roads that were also used in the Strade Bianche one-day race. The field had previously covered the first hour at a very fast average speed of almost 52 kilometers per hour before the field split up. The Austrian and Pogacar helper Felix Großschartner was 36 seconds behind at the finish, his compatriot Patrick Gamper was in a small escape group and ultimately came 78th (+13:33 mins).

It continues tomorrow

There are likely to be major changes in the overall ranking on Friday, when the first of two individual time trials takes place between Foligno and Perugia. The 40,6 km long section is mainly flat until the second timing point at race kilometer 34, then there is a 6,6 km long climb in the 4th category up to the finish.