The long stage along the Italian east coast was regarded by the peloton as a day for the breakaway and six riders managed to get away indeed. Halfway through the stage, some teams did take the initiative, but no real move was ever made to close the gap with the six escapees. Team Jumbo-Visma went along just fine with the race situation and kept leader Kruijswijk out of the wind all day. Englishman Alex Dowsett crossed the line solo in the seaside resort of Vieste.

Leader Kruijswijk had a calm day in the belly of the peloton. “We knew it was going to be a calm day, but you always have to pay attention. The goal was to cross the line safely and to save energy for tomorrow. We succeeded in that.”

The climber expects a grueling mountain ride tomorrow. “It is also the day before the rest day, so there will certainly be a hard race. We have possibilities. The course is suitable for racing and for attacks. I feel good, so we will see what we can do.”