The fourteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia led to an upheaval in the general classification this Saturday. 147 kilometers long, this stage went over a hilly circuit around Turin and notably featured two passages of the Superga climb (5 km at 8%).
Halfway through, the peloton exploded under the acceleration of the favorites after in the descent of the Parco del Nobile. The first group, which included Domenico Pozzovivo and Jan Hirt, quickly swallowed up the breakaway which had taken more than an hour to form.
The two climbers of the Belgian World Team then maintained their position in the leading group, reduced to twelve rider at the top of the first passage of Superga, located 65 kilometers from the finish.
It was in the second passage, 40 kilometers further, that this leading group decisively imploded. After a man against man final, Domenico Pozzovivo crossed the line in fifth position, 28 seconds behind the winner.
Thanks to his performance, Pozzovivo moved up to fifth place in the general classification, one minute behind the new pink jersey Richard Carapaz. The Czech Jan Hirt, who arrived eleventh in Turin, is also eleventh overall.
“It was a stage of rare brutality! Not only because of the succession of climbs with high percentages, but also because of the heat and the constantly intense pace. At 60 kilometers from the finish, there were only about ten GC riders left at the front of the race, and I managed to conclude this tough battle with a very good 5th place. I'm also currently fifth overall, which is a good sign ahead of the third week. I haven't been able to fully satisfy the tifosi for the past few years due to bad luck and physical problems, but now I'm back! »
Photo : Cyclingmedia_agency
