2023-05-23 15:51:13
At the start of the final Giro week, Geraint Thomas rode back into the pink jersey. The former Tour de France champion from Wales used all his experience on the rain-soaked track up Monte Bondone on Tuesday. Thomas, who turns 37 on Thursday, only had to admit defeat to the Portuguese Joao Almeida in the sprint. Third was Slovenian Primoz Roglic (+25 sec.).
In the overall standings, Thomas now leads Almeida by 18 seconds and Roglic by 29. As expected, the previous leader Bruno Armirail from France had no chance. Patrick Konrad crossed the finish line alongside Armirail. The Lower Austrian presented himself offensively, but might no longer keep up with the speed increase of Almeida’s UAE Emirates team with 8.5 kilometers to go and ended up in 18th place (+4:24 min.).
Konrad – otherwise mainly as a noble helper for his Bora captain Lennard Kämna (6th overall) – has to wait for a top ten result at this year’s Tour of Italy and is 19th overall. (+12:28). On Wednesday, the sprinters will get their chance on the 197-kilometer stage from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle.
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