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Belgian Dries De Bondt celebrates on the podium after winning the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia, a stretch from Borgo Valsugana to Treviso, Italy.
Belgian Dries De Bondt won. A four-rider sprint on Thursday to win the final flat stage of a Giro d’Italia that looks set to be decided. until the last day of competition.
Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, the 2019 champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, held a three-second lead in the overall ranking over his closest rival, Australian Jai Hindley – who was runner-up in 2020.
Hindley suffered. He suffered a flat tire in the last three kilometers of the stage, which were neutralized, meaning he was given the same finish time as the other leaders he was riding with when he was forced to He had to stop to receive mechanical help.
Mikel Landa remained in third place in the general table, 1:05 minutes behind Carapaz.
The remaining three stages will determine the winner: grueling mountain stages on Friday and Saturday, followed by a hilly individual time trial that ends the race in Verona on Sunday.
&ldquo ;It has been a relatively calm day, we have been very strong. He always checked the position of Landa and Hindley, he was afraid of possible holes. I want to defend the Maglia Rosa until the end, I trust my means”, said Carapaz.
Joã before the 18th stage after testing positive for COVID-19. Almeida was 1:54 minutes behind Carapaz.
Two-time winner Vincenzo Nibali, who plans to retire at the end of the season, moved up. to the fourth step, although he remained almost six minutes behind the leader.
with a flat circuit through Treviso to conclude a 156-kilometre (97-mile) stage from Borgo Valsugana that included two fourth category ascents.
De Bondt, who rides for the Alpecin-Fenix team, formed part of an early breakout of four competitors and beat Edoardo Affini and Magnus Cort Nielsen near the finish.
“We did a good job with the others who broke away in the final kilometers to keep the peloton back, and then we had to focus on Magnus, who is a very fast runner” De Bondt. “It’s my first victory in a GT (Grand Tour), I can’t believe it. It was a dream to achieve a victory like this”.