Auben Sparfel, winner of today's stage at the Giro Next Gen, described today's race as crazy, then, in front of the press, he said: "This Giro Next Gen has been incredible for our team, we won the first stage and took the pink jersey but personally until today I was a bit disappointed with my performances: too many placings. Finally today the victory I was waiting for arrived, I'm happy".

Explaining his race tactics, the Frenchman declared: "Honestly I didn't think things could go so well today. I listened to my sporting director who encouraged me to try an attack, and I managed it. We escaped together with Rowe and we really went all out. In the final I saw Lorenzo in the pink jersey arriving and I understood that I had to launch the sprint, maybe I was a bit too long but it worked out well. I'm really happy".

Finally a special and touching dedication: "In recent days Shane O'Brien left us, I'm very sad about this and I want to dedicate my victory today to him"

Also Lorenzo Finn after the finish explained what his plans were: "My main objective today was to keep the pink jersey and gain seconds. I managed it" Then analyzing the day he said: "I believe today was the hardest stage of this Giro, we're on the seventh day of racing and I think we're all a bit tired. The team did excellent work anyway: we controlled in the first part by taking Passo Lanciano at a good pace. Subsequently attacks started with Sparfel and others who formed a small group, I managed the final. The stage victory didn't come but I'm still happy".

Photos from the race's social media