Ben O’Connor (NTT Pro Cycling Team) has won Stage 17 of the 103rd Giro d’Italia, 203km from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio.
Breakaway companions Hermann Pernsteiner (Bahrain – McLaren) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) finished second and third, respectively.
João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) crossed the finish line after 5’11” with the main favourites for the general classification and retains the Maglia Rosa.
STAGE RESULTS
1 – Ben O’Connor (NTT Pro Cycling Team) – 203km in 5h50’59”, average speed 34.703km/h
2 – Hermann Pernsteiner (Bahrain – McLaren) at 31″
3 – Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) at 1’10”
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)
2 – Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) at 17”
3 – Jai Hindley (Team Sunweb) at 2’58”
THE JERSEYS
Maglia Rosa (pink), general classification leader, sponsored by Enel – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)
Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by Segafredo Zanetti – Arnaud Démare (Groupama – FDJ)
Maglia Azzurra (blue), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Ruben Guerreiro (EF Pro Cycling)
Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Eurospin – João Almeida (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Ben O’Connor said: “Yesterday’s second place left me feeling pretty bitter. Today I was able to bounce back and get this success, it’s a dream to get a victory in a Grand Tour.”
The Maglia Rosa João Almeida said: “Today it was a hard day, a lot of climbing but I had the perfect team with me. That’s one more day in the Maglia Rosa. Team Sunweb tried to attack but I was feeling good. Tomorrow it’s another day, I look forward to it.”
