After the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia today in Pinerolo, Steven Kruijswijk remains in the pink jersey. The LottoNL-Jumbo’s position was not in danger on the Pramartino, the only categorised climb of the day. Matteo Trentin (Ettix-Quick Step) won the stage ahead of the group of favourites at 13 minutes.

Early in the stage, a leading group of 24 went away with no LottoNL-Jumbo cyclists. The men of Steven Kruijswijk set the pace behind. They covered around 100 kilometres in two hours. "Everything went according to plan today, a large group quickly went away,” said Sports Director Addy Engel. “The jersey was never in danger and Steven is looking forward to the coming days.”

Strong team
LottoNL-Jumbo rode the whole day in front, but the speed was noted. "It was a high tempo and at one point, there were even riders asking if we could possibly slow down so they could pee,” said Kruijswijk. "I didn’t see much of the peloton because I only had my team-mates around me. I was never outside the first five of the group."

The 24 men were allowed to fight for the stage win. In the final, Italians Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx - Quick Step) and Moreno Moser (Cannondale Pro Cycling Team) escaped, but Brambilla’s team-mate Matteo Trentin blew by in the last 200 metres for the win in Pinerolo. 

Enrico Battaglin led the peloton on the climb to Pramartino. "Enrico was better than I expected, he kept pushing and no one attacked." 

"They did nothing,” Kruijswijk said of his rivals. “As long as I’m ahead, I have the mental boost over them. It is important to show no weakness."

No fear
They face a tough stage tomorrow that could decide the Giro. "It will go down to the last men,” said Engels. “It’s reassuring that Steven has shown to be the best uphill." 

"Tomorrow is better for me than today,” Kruijswijk added. “I showed in the last week that I'm really good on those long climbs. I need to have no fear, it is especially important when they attack."