The 141-kilometer stage from Paestum to Naples was relatively short, but far from calm. Four riders formed the early breakaway, although they were never given more than a one-minute advantage by the peloton. With around 30 kilometers to go, the break was reeled back in, after which the race fully exploded heading into the finale.

The streets of Naples then produced a chaotic and slippery finish, where positioning was crucial. Team Visma | Lease a Bike focused entirely on protecting their general classification ambitions.

Sport director Marc Reef emphasized after the stage how tricky the conditions were, especially combined with the rain and the technical nature of the course: “It was a tricky stage. We already knew from previous years in Naples with the cobbles that it can be dangerous, but with the rain today it was extra important to stay alert. We stayed out of the chaos and danger. That was the goal today: to avoid any damage.”

The finale ultimately came down to a sprint in difficult conditions, where Davide Ballerini took the stage win. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders stayed well grouped and made it through the dangerous finish without any incidents.

Tomorrow, however, the peloton faces a completely different challenge. The Giro d’Italia features a brutal mountain stage of 250 kilometers with around 4,000 meters of climbing. The finish comes atop the legendary climb of Blockhaus, where the long and demanding final ascent is expected to create significant gaps. It will be the first real test for the general classification contenders.