Italian Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) won in a bunch sprint on Stage 17 of the 101st Giro d’Italia. It was the Franciacorta Stage – 155km from Riva del Garda to Iseo. Sam Bennett (Bora – Hansgrohe) and Niccolò Bonifazio (Bahrain – Merida) finished second and third, respectively.
Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) remains the race General Classification leader, wearing the Maglia Rosa.
FINAL RESULT
1 – Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) – 149.5km in 3h19’57”, average speed 44.861km/h
2 – Sam Bennett (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.
3 – Niccolò Bonifazio (Bahrain – Merida) s.t.
4 – Danny Van Poppel (Team Lotto NL – Jumbo) s.t.
5 – Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) s.t.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
2 – Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 56?
3 – Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain – Merida) at 3’11”
4 – Chris Froome (Team Sky) at 3’50”
5 – Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) at 4’19”
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner, Elia Viviani, said: “We knew this could be a very hard stage and it was indeed. There were very strong breakaway riders but Bora controlled. We played a little bit with them. We did it right because it was the second last stage for sprinters and Bennett could have put my Maglia Ciclamino in danger. Once it came down to a bunch sprint, I asked my guys to lead me out. When Van Poppel anticipated the sprint, I knew it was too early. It was actually perfect for me. I could pass him.”
The race leader, Simon Yates, said: “There’s no easy day at the Giro. This was another hard one and it could have some impact on the coming mountain stages. I heard about splits in the bunch but I never knew who was caught behind. I hope everyone is tired because I’m tired.”
JERSEYS
- Maglia Rosa (pink), general classification leader, sponsored by Enel – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
- Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by Segafredo – Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors)
- Maglia Azzurra (blue), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott), jersey worn by Giulio Ciccone (Bardiani CSF)
- Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Eurospin – Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team)
