The first mountain stage in the seven-day stage race took the peloton from Torricella Sicura to Valle Castellana. The 145-kilometre stage included climbs of the Castellalto and the San Giacomo.

In a nervous race, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders held the breakaway of ten riders within reach of the bunch. With the climb of the San Giacomo ahead, the yellow-black formation increased the pace considerably. Thanks to the high pace, the escapees were caught, after which Attila Valter and Ben Tulett managed to set up team leader Vingegaard. The Dane launched his attack and began a successful solo of 30 kilometres. His fifth win of the season also earned him the blue leader's jersey.

"It's great that I could thank my teammates in this way," Vingegaard responded afterwards. "The guys did a fantastic job. I am hugely grateful for that. We had planned to make the race hard on the final climb and we did. Both Steven (Kruijswijk) and Dylan (van Baarle) were of great value in the first part of the stage. After that, it was up to Attila and Ben to keep the pace as high as possible on the uphill sections. I'm satisfied that I could finish it with a solo."

"It was a tough climb, so it was important to be able to maintain the pace," he continued. "I also knew I had to keep giving everything to keep the chasing group of favourites behind me. In the end, everything fell into place. I am looking forward to the last two stages."