A stage for sprinters? Not at all. And so here comes the surprise finish at the Novi Ligure line: victory for Belgian Alec Segaert who exalts an increasingly impressive Bahrain Victorious, ahead of Toon Aerts from Lotto Intermarchè who controls the main group. Decisive was a powerful attack 3 km from the finish that completely surprised the peloton and gave the Bahrain team a special day in which Afonso Eulalio also strengthened his pink jersey thanks to 6" of time bonuses earned at the Red Bull KM. Edoardo Zambanini, who finished in ninth position, was instead the best Italian of the day.

THE RACE. A eventful and unpredictable stage that from the start posed an important question: a day for breakaways or a new opportunity for sprinters? The 175 km from Imperia to Novi Ligure, from Liguria to Piedmont were not difficult to interpret at all. After an initially practically flat section, the road began to climb 75 km from the finish to tackle the Colle Giovi and Bric Berton, both third-category climbs. The summit was positioned about fifty kilometers from the finish, then only descent and flat terrain to reach the finish.

As happened the previous day, the start was all action. Immediately after the official start, attacks began, many teams aimed to go on the attack, while others wanted to keep the race closed. It took about twenty kilometers before 5 riders managed to break away: Jonas Geens (Alpecin Premier Tech), Jardi Christiaan Van der Lee (EF Education EasyPost), Juan Pedro Lopez (Movistar Team), Mattia Bais (Polti Visit Malta) and Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber). The breakaway riders managed to gain up to 2 minutes advantage, but the peloton never gave them much space. The sprinters' teams kept the situation under control, quickly making up ground.

About 102 km from the finish, the peloton came within fifteen seconds of the race leaders and we witnessed a real reshuffling. Many riders attempted to attack, including some teammates of the most expected sprinters who wanted to keep the situation under control. About 90 km from the finish, a new group of six formed composed of Johan Jacobs (Groupama FDJ United), Jonas Rutsch (Lotto Intermarche), Fredrik Dvernes Lavik (Uno X Mobility) and three riders who were part of the previous breakaway attempt: Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber), Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee (EF Education EasyPost), Jonas Geens (Alpecin Premier Tech). The fugitives managed to accumulate over 2 minutes advantage, but at the start of the Colle Giovi climb, the music definitely changed.

Team Movistar took the lead of the peloton and immediately set a high pace that nullified the breakaway riders' efforts, but above all put the sprinters in difficulty. Groenewegen was among the first to drop back, while Milan and Magnier tried to grit their teeth and took advantage of the subsequent descent to rejoin.

On the Bric Berton climb, the script repeated itself, the Movistar team riders continued their forcing, managing to drop Jonathan Milan and Paul Magnier again, who at the climb were losing a minute. The two sprinters, supported by their teammates, tried to chase down the group where, however, Team Movistar and EF Education EasyPost increased the pace again, leaving no hope of catching up.

The final of the stage was at extremely high speed and it was difficult to predict the outcome at the Novi Ligure finish. On the last climb about 7 km from the finish, Giulio Ciccone and Igor Arrieta tried to upset the odds, but Team Visma Lease a Bike controlled the situation. Alec Segaert managed to do it, however, when about 3 km remained, unleashing a powerful attack that surprised his direct rivals. Several riders tried to chase him down, but the Belgian rider was unstoppable.

The day also smiled on Afonso Eulalio who, thanks to first place at the Red Bull KM, managed to gain 6" of time bonuses. He now leads the pink jersey classification with a 33" advantage over Jonas Vingegaard.

Tomorrow awaiting the pink caravan is another stage that could deliver some nice surprises in the finale. The 189 km from Alessandria to Verbania are mostly flat, but 25 km from the finish the climbing begins. Riders will have to tackle the Bieno climb and then the Ungiasca climb which will finish 13 km from the finish. A day for breakaways or ideal for a reduced group finish? It will be a finale full of surprises.

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FINISHING ORDER

1  Segaert Alec Bahrain Victorious 03:53:00

2  Aerts Toon Lotto-Intermarchè + 03

3  Silva Thomas XDS Astana Team + 03

4  Vernon Ethan NSN Cycling Team

5  Stuyven Jasper Soudal Quick-Step + 03

6  Aular Orluis Movistar Team + 03

7  Mihkels Madis EF Education-EasyPost + 03

8  Narvaez Jhonatan UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 03

9  Zambanini Edoardo Bahrain Victorious + 03

10 Løland Sakarias Koller Uno-X Mobility + 03

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1  Eulalio Afonso Bahrain Victorious 48:10:38

2  Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 33

3  Arensman Thymen Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team + 02:03

4  Gall Felix Decathlon CMA CGM Team + 02:30

5  O'Connor Ben Team Jayco-AlUla + 02:50

6  Hindley Jai Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 03:12

7  Storer Michael Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 03:34

8  Gee-West Derek Lidl-Trek + 03:40

9  Pellizzari Giulio Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 03:42

10 Harper Chris Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 04:15