Cycling: A stage like a painting for a breakaway group - a tough climb thirty kilometers before the finish and then a long descent to Savona - for a long time it looked as if this calculation would work out. On the contrary, the ascent to the 714 meter high Naso di Gatto resulted in a large leading group with all the favorites reuniting.
On the downhill, Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo) launched a surprise attack. The former multiple time trial world champion showed that he still has what it takes solo. With a courageous driving style, he gained a lead of more than half a minute and steadfastly withstood the attack of the sprint teams. First and foremost it was once again Giant-Shimano who were striving for a sprint decision for Simon Geschke. Geschke also got the sprint of the peloton and finished second ahead of Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani-CSF).
The 2014 Giro will therefore continue to have a fairly Australian character. Cadel Evans (BMC) in pink, Michael Matthews in front, stage wins for Michael Rogers and Aussie team Orica-GreenEdge - it will be interesting to see if the men from Down Under can bring some of that form into the Tour de France.
Of course, the ten-second lead that Rogers saved didn't change anything in the overall standings. Evans stays ahead of Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) in pink by 57 seconds.
Tomorrow is the first individual time trial. 41,9 kilometers with a few meters of altitude are scheduled. Another indicator of whether Evans has what it takes to be a Giro winner. Fabian Wegmann (Garmin-Sharp) from Freiburg will no longer experience this. He fell badly on the way and had to end the Giro d'Italia prematurely.
