Cycling: Damiano Caruso has won the last mountain stage of the Giro d'Italia. The Italian went on the offensive early, putting his opponents under pressure and winning the stage by 24 seconds ahead of Egan Bernal. The Colombian is about to win overall.
Caruso wins and consolidates his podium place
Decision at the Giro d'Italia! The Tour of Italy was decided on the 164-kilometer stage from Verbania to Valle Spluga Alpe Motta. The opponents have tried everything, but Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) was just too strong to take the maglia rosa off him despite his weak moments. The Colombian defended his overall lead by 1:59 with his second place Damian Caruso (Bahrain – Victorious), who sensationally won the stage. The Italian went on the offensive on the descent of the Passo San Bernardino, caught up with the escapees and shook off all companions by the finish line. So he can look forward to a podium finish. Third overall after today's stage Simon yates (BikeExchange), who acted passively today and was unable to hold Egan Bernal's rear wheel on the final climb. Behind it will still be close in tomorrow's time trial, as the drivers concerned are only a few seconds apart.
Bardet & Caruso attack early
9 drivers including the Swiss Simon Pellaud (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec), the Austrian Felix Grossschartner (Bora – hansgrohe) and the German Nico Denz (DSM), were able to break away from the peloton at the beginning of the stage. The day's break then disintegrated as expected up the Passo San Bernardino. Only 5 professionals were able to save themselves from the peloton via the mountain classification. Behind them, the BikeExchange and DSM teams set the pace. But attacks only came on the descent when Romain Bardet (DSM) and Damian Caruso (Bahrain – Victorious) with two or one teammate and were able to catch up with the remaining breakaways. Then they gradually flew back. Also Felix Grossschartner could no longer hold the rear wheel at some point.
Martinez pulls Bernal up the mountain
The lead from swung up to the Splügen Pass Damiano Caruso, Romain Bardet and their two helpers bilbao hair (Bahrain – Victorious) and Michael Storer (DSM) to around 40 seconds. In the group of favorites, the Ineos Grenadiers team was now forced to do the tracking work. After Jonathan Castroviejo took over Edelhelfer Daniel Martinez the tempo dictation. In addition to his captain, this could only Simon yates (BikeExchange), Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana-Premier Tech), Hugh Carthy (EF-Nippo) and Joao almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) follow.
Bernal is about to win overall
Two kilometers from the finish then the crucial moment: Romain Bardet lost the rear wheel of Damian Caruso. The Italian was heading towards the stage win while the Frenchman of Egan Bernal was still swallowed. The Colombian and his team Ineos Grenadiers proved impressively that they deservedly won the overall victory at the 2021 Giro d'Italia.
#lesRP 🇮🇹 – VICTOIRE DE DAMIANO CARUSO 🇮🇹 ! On retiendra que son premier succès en World Tour fut au sommet de l'Alpe Motta. Le maillot rose Egan Bernal 🇨🇴 appointments 2ème à 24″, son magnifique coéquipier Daniel Martinez 🇨🇴 vient compléter le podium. #Turn pic.twitter.com/lP28amjhK8
— Paul Moutarde (@PaulMoutarde) May 29, 2021