Pinot 2nd in the 18th stage of the Giro, Thomas stays in pink

He had changed his strategy. No more fruitless negotiations, Thibaut Pinot (Groupma-FDJ), escaped with in particular Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R-Citroen) and Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic), tried to let go of the pedal, without turning around, all his companions in the penultimate ascent of the 18th stage. In vain. Filippo Zana (Jayco AlUla), Italian champion jersey on the shoulders, remained firmly attached to the wheel of the Frenchman. In the sprint, the Italian beat the leader of Groupama-FDJ, who will have to console himself with the blue jersey of best climber.

Primoz Roglic with a bluff

Long at the head of the race, the Ineos Grenadiers team in the pink jersey suffocated the peloton, reduced to 20 units after the Forcella Cibiana (9.6 kilometers at 7.8%) about thirty kilometers from the finish. At the back of the peloton, discreet, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) has long cast doubt on his form. An uncertainty quickly dispelled by the acceleration of his teammate Sepp Kuss 9 kilometers from the finish in the Coi (5.8 kilometers at 9.7%), then his attack a few hectometres later. A fatal double blade to Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), forced to let the Slovenian leave with the leader Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers). At the train and supported by Jay Vine, the Portuguese managed to concede only 21 seconds to the duo, but had to give up his place as runner-up to Primoz Roglic. A reuring sign before the queen stage of the Giro, this Friday.