To end the second Giro week, the riders were treated to a 222-kilometre long stage, including some 5,500 altimeters. The finish line was drawn in ski resort Livigno after the steep climbs of the Passo di Foscagno and the Mottolino. Today, a total of five categorised climbs had to be completed.

Once again, Team Visma | Lease a Bike showed attacking spirit. Both Valter and Jan Tratnik were part of a large breakaway after the second climb. After a new acceleration at the front, Valter stayed alert in the chasing group. For his part, Tratnik decided - with an eye on the third week - to save his energy. After climbing the Passo del Mortirolo, the Hungarian champion was able to take up position at the front again. The front group of 17 started the penultimate climb of the day with a lead of more than three minutes over the group of favourites.

In the front group, Nairo Quintana and Georg Steinhauser eventually proved the strongest. Valter kept fighting in the chase. Meanwhile, Pogačar also made his way to the front. In no time, the GC leader managed to pass everyone and then soloed to the stage win. Valter eventually reached the finish line in 18th place.

“I had good legs today”, Valter said afterwards. “I could always focus on being in the right group, in which I could ride patiently each time. Due to the presence of some riders with GC ambitions in the chasing group, I could also take a wait-and-see approach. Those were moments to catch a breath, but I heard that Pogačar was fast approaching on the penultimate climb. I prepared myself to try to follow him, but logically I had to let go again a little later. It was a good way to test myself. From then on it was suffering until the finish, but I can look back on my day with satisfaction.”

“We wanted to fight for it again today”, Tratnik responded. “We could choose to spend a day in the peloton, but that is never the correct mindset. We tried again, with a great performance from Attila as a result. Personally, I feel I am getting better and better in this Giro. In the last week there are definitely still some chances for me to show myself.”