Yates puts the hammer down

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) extended his lead with one week to go in the 101st Giro d’Italia as he claimed his third stage victory with the Maglia Rosa on his shoulders. Two consecutive attacks in the second-last climb before Sappada enabled him to ride solo for the last 17 kilometres while the Monte Zoncolan winner, Chris Froome (Team Sky), was absent from the group of five challengers who fought to limit the damage behind the flying Englishman.

STATISTICS

• Simon Yates is the first rider to win three stages with the Maglia Rosa since Gilberto Simoni took stage 12 to Monte Zoncolan, stage 14 to Alpe di Pampeago and stage 19 to Cascata del Toce in 2003.
• With 27 stage victories, Great Britain is tied with Colombia in ninth place on the countries’ tally. It’s also the 120th stage win for Great Britain in the three Grand Tours (27 at the Giro, 67 at the Tour, 26 at La Vuelta). There are more leader’s jerseys (151, 79 of them being for Chris Froome) than stage victories for Great Britain.
• It’s the second time in the Giro history that Great Britain gets back-to back-victories after Mark Cavendish in stage 12 to Treviso and stage 13 to Cherasco in 2013.
• This is the 16th Maglia Rosa for British riders, the 10th for Simon Yates.
• First stage podium for Miguel Angel Lopez at the Giro (he was fourth at Monte Zoncolan).

FINAL RESULT
1 – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) – 176km in 4h37’56”, average speed 37.994km/h
2 – Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team) at 41?
3 – Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 41?
4 – Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain – Merida) at 41?
5 – Richard Carapaz (Movistar Team) at 41?

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
2 – Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 2’11”
3 – Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain – Merida) at 2’28”
4 – Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) at 2’37”
5 – Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team) at 4’27”

All the rankings

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), worn by Giulio Ciccone (Bardiani CSF)
• Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Eurospin – Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team)

PRESS CONFERENCE
The stage winner, the Maglia Rosa, Simon Yates, said: “Yesterday it was extremely difficult and today was the same. I knew everybody would be tired today. I was also really tired but, at the same time, I was very motivated to take as much time as I could on Tom [Dumoulin] before the time trial. I rode with passion. I gave everything, knowing that everyone would finish empty. I came to the Giro to win the race but I didn’t expect to win three stages. It’s a magnificent achievement. I’m lost for words. I couldn’t imagine this. But I don’t know if the advantage I have now is enough to win the Giro. I’m not sure if I’m the favourite or not.”

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