Stage seventeen of the Giro d'Italia was contested between Cassano d'Adda and Andalo and featured more than 3,000 meters of climbing. With its hilly route, the stage looked well suited for a breakaway beforehand, and that proved to be the case. A large lead group was allowed to go clear early in the day.

In the peloton, Team Visma | Lease a Bike controlled the race but did not chase the stage win. The breakaway gradually shrank on the climbs in the finale, with Valgren eventually proving to be the strongest rider up front. The Dane launched a decisive attack in the closing stages to secure the stage victory. Vingegaard crossed the line five minutes behind his compatriot, together with the rest of the peloton.  

“We had already decided beforehand not to go for the stage win today,” Vingegaard said afterward. “We’ve already had two tough weeks, and the Giro is not over yet. My teammates were able to take it a bit easier today. I’m very happy for Michael. He’s had a lot of bad luck in his career, so this stage win is a wonderful reward for all his hard work.”