Nico DENZ. 10 and praise. He believes, he tries, he does it. With 17 km to go, the German takes a chance and attempts a surprise move. Behind him, Planckaert, De Bondt and Hoole, Van Baarle, Magli and Conci, Maestri, De Pretto, Warbasse and Edmondson watch in amazement: where is he going? He goes where his heart takes him: seventh career victory, third stage win in the Giro, a race that becomes a personal shooting range, his amusement park, his comfort zone. He wins with the rage of a red bull, before a liberating embrace with Gabriele Uboldi at the finish line. Infinite joy for an athlete who believes in his crazy actions, even though today it was madness to underestimate his madness.

Mirco MAESTRI. 8. He makes a powerful and angry sprint. What rage not to have believed in Nico Denz's progression! What rage to have underestimated the German! Mirco is exemplary, but once again, in this Giro, he must settle for a top ten placement. After 6th in Gorizia, the grenadier of Polti VisitMalta gains a beautiful honor position, but the anger at the finish line is for having thrown away a golden opportunity: today he is "only" silver.

Edward PLANCKAERT. 7. The same applies to everyone: they don't have the legs to chase a dancing Denz. They lack legs and perhaps that extra bit of conviction to believe that he really knows how to do these things. Nico wins little, but he wins like this.

Filippo MAGLI. 7. The 26-year-old Tuscan from VF Group Bardiani CSF Faiané has the ability and lucidity to catch the express train of the forty and the local train of eleven. He only misses the German connection, which goes away like a Frecciarossa.

Dries DE BONDT. 5.5. The Belgian is not a young boy, he is 33 years old, but they put him in the bag like nothing.

Daan HOOLE. 5.5. The Lidl-Trek giant today hides, steps back, waits, but then gets caught off guard: right where they expect him.

Davide DE PRETTO. 6.5. The 23-year-old from Thiene of Jayco AlUla. Of course, the same applies to him as to the others, but he at least has the excuse of inexperience: it's his first Grand Tour.

Nicola CONCI. 5.5. He sees Nico Denz go away. Then he doesn't see him anymore.

Mads PEDERSEN. 6. Objective: defend and consolidate his cyclamen jersey. The Dane takes the flying finish in Galbiate, ahead of Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Davide De Pretto (Jayco AlUla), and closes shop.

Christian SCARONI. 7. If Lorenzo Fortunato doesn't take the points for the blue jersey, no one will. Christian first takes the Parlasco finish line, then the one on Colle di Balisio. The gentleman from San Valentino precedes first Manuele Tarozzi (VF Group Bardiani CSF Faiané) and Davide De Pretto (Jayco AlUla) and subsequently Tarozzi and Marcellusi. Mission accomplished.

Richard CARAPAZ. 32. Today he turns years old, tomorrow he might give himself a gift. In Cesano Maderno, many celebrated him. Many compatriots stormed the EF motorhome, all convinced that tomorrow the "Carchi locomotive" will be able to party with "El Torito".

Juan AYUSO. 17. The final blow was dealt by a wasp, which yesterday stung him above his right eye, swelling enormously during the night, making it impossible for him to see. Juan tried, but it was not possible to continue under those conditions. A Giro to forget for the Valencian talent, who takes home as an indelible souvenir the 7th stage of the "pink race": the victory in Tagliacozzo is still history.