During the first hour, over fifty kilometres were covered. The attacks kept coming, but a leading group with, amongst others, Paul Martens, did not get any space. After the Martens group was taken back, the decisive breakaway battled for the stage win. Behind the breakaway, Team Jumbo-Visma leader Roglic was well-surrounded by his teammates.

“It was a very fast and tough stage from the start. It was a big fight for over eighty kilometres. At the important moments we were where we needed to be. In the front. That was good to see. It gives us confidence for the remainder of the Giro”, Addy Engels explained. “The fact that Laurens had to abandon the race is a pity. He didn’t feel too well for a few days, but day by day he was starting to feel better. A race situation like today doesn’t help too much in such case. We had hoped that he would make it to the rest day on Monday, but unfortunately that is not the case.”

For De Plus, the Giro was his main objective. “This is a huge disappointment. I worked hard towards this race all year and sacrificed everything for it. But my body did not allow me to continue. This hurts a lot. It started after the opening time trial. I have really suffered the last few days. I had hoped that I could survive until the rest day, but unfortunately it isn’t meant to be. A real pity.”