-
Santiago Buitrago crosses the finish in 4 hours and 27.41 minutes to win the 17th stage of the Giro D’Italia, 165 kilometers from Ponte DiLegno to Lavarone.
Favorite Richard Carapaz maintained his slim lead at the top of the Giro d’Italia, following a 17th stage on Wednesday won by Colombia’s Santiago Buitrago, his first grand tour victory.
Ecuadorian Carapaz is still three seconds ahead of Jai Hindley, second place in the 2020 — when there are only four days left in the race – lego that the two crossed the finish line together at the end of the 168-kilometre (104-mile) stretch from Ponte di Lego to Lavarone, which included almost 4,000 meters of ascents.
Mikel Landa finished the six seconds behind the duo, but moved up. to third in the table, 1 minute and five seconds below Carapaz. overcame to João Almeida, who was He lagged behind in the second of the two top category climbs that occurred in the last 40 kilometers of the stage.
Shortly after crossing the finish line, Carapaz said: “The truth is that it has been a very tough stage. But in the end it was a positive day for the general classification. Tomorrow it will be another important day. I’ll even have Verona you have to be very focused”.
Buitrago, who finished with tears in his eyes after finishing second in the 15th stage, he returned I will cry on Wednesday, but this time with joy.
The 22-year-old Colombian recovered. He recovered from a mid-day crash to get back into the breakaway pack and then launched his summit charge at the end of the second ascent, accelerating downhill for the last eight kilometres.
Buitrago, the Bahrain Victorious team, finished 35 seconds ahead of Gijs Leemreize — who had led the climb to Monterovere — and 2:28 ahead of Jan Hirt.
“Winning a stage at the Giro is exceptional, especially after the big disappointment of second place on Sunday”, he said.” The key to this success was patience on the climbs. I think I have ridden well. This victory is for my family in Colombia and for all the people who have supported me until now.” He will have a final sprint after a flat circuit around Treviso at the end of a 156km route from Borgo Valsugana, which includes two category four climbs.
The Giro concludes on Sunday in Verona .