
Luke PLAPP. 10 and praise. Never was a victory more deserved. Solid legs and a tough head. The Australian from Team Jayco AlUla is clearly the strongest, the finish line says it, the race says it, he tells us as he pedaled elegantly and composed and went to seize the success that is worth a career, that enriches and fills it. A weighty victory for Luke. A victory that weighs in the Jayco AlUla house of Brent Copeland, the team leader who whispers to his riders. A victory studied and put on the ground by David Mc Portland and Valerio Piva, his two technicians: they believed in it, Luke believed in it. Incredible his joy, as well as his bewilderment that releases childlike tears. Pink victory on a purple jersey, which in the world of entertainment has sinister meanings, but today Luke has surpassed everyone, to the right.
Wilco KELDERMANN. 9. The 34-year-old Dutch rider from Visma Lease a Bike gives meaning to his Giro with a valuable breakaway in one of the most beautiful stages of this pink race. It's the stage of the Marche walls, he scales them one by one, with the desire of young men, but does it as a mature man, also as a team man, who today represents it all.
Diego ULISSI. 10 and praise. He sets out to try to win his ninth stage on the Giro roads, then finds himself fighting for the pink jersey, which he puts on his shoulders after sixteen years of honored career, after twelve Giros. Now, finally, he gives the tag: of a jersey he will wear in his Tuscany. Career award and what a career.
Igor ARRIETA. 7. The 22-year-old son of art from Uae Team Emirates XRG throws himself into the fray to try to see what it feels like.
Nicolas PRODHOMME. 6.5. The 28-year-old rider from Decathlon Ag2r goes in search of glory. He is looking for it.
Andrea VENDRAME. 6.5. He is trying to find the best condition along the way. He chooses a difficult stage, tough as few, he is not a delicate flower, but he still lacks something. Certainly not lacking in courage.
Lorenzo FORTUNATO. 8. The Bologna rider from XDS Astana does not waste time and attacks. He tries, the blue Mediolanum jersey, with strength and determination. He caresses the dream of the pink jersey, but while he's at it he takes home the flying finish in Sarnano ahead of Formolo and Ulissi. His also the GPM of Sassotetto, ahead of Bardet, Manuele Tarozzi (VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizan) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team). Then he celebrates the pink jersey of his teammate Diego Ulissi: great team.
Georg STEINHAUSER. 6.5. Another son of art, the 23-year-old from EF-Easy Post. All day fighting, but like many he brings home less than he gave.
Romain BARDET. 6. Yesterday he ended up in a ditch, today he tries to climb back up: the slope. He is not perky, but gives everything he can. And that's not little.
Alessio MARTINELLI. 6.5. The 24-year-old guy from VF Group Bardiani CSF Faizan tries to make a non-anonymous race, in fact his first and last name end up in the top ten.
Juan AYUSO. 7. The Uaes move with involving and enveloping actions. They put pressure on Roglic's Red Bull, and in the end the Spaniard takes away a second from him. Little thing, but these are the signals of a challenge about to ignite.
Primoz ROGLIC. 5.5. It may be true that he does nothing to keep the pink jersey, but repeatedly he seems to be always distant from the live of the race. Strategy? Oh, to know.
Tom PIDCOCK. 5. It's a stage that could have smiled at him, but he prefers to keep a sulky face. It's likely that today he was thinking about tomorrow, the Sienese gravel: we hope.
Mads PEDERSEN. 7. The former pink jersey takes and goes. Battle from the first kilometers, covered today at a crazy average: first two hours almost 50 km/h. The Danish rider from Lidl – Trek escapes in the company of Mattia Cattaneo (Soudal Quick-Step) and Davide De Pretto (Team Jayco AlUla). The Dane wins the flying finish in Roccafluvione, preceding in order Davide De Pretto (Team Jayco AlUla) and Mattia Cattaneo (Soudal Quick-Step). Further back Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar). Does his thing. Arrives last at almost half an hour.
Josef CERNY. 7. Arrives second to last, with Pedersen. Tough as few.