The 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia was a thrilling ride, with Nicolas Prodhomme emerging as the winner. He dominated the 166 km stretch between Biella and Champoluc, finishing in 4 hours, 50 minutes, and 35 seconds. Prodhomme’s victory was a sweet one, coming just three weeks after his first win in the Volta aos Alpes on April 25.
“I waited a long time for this win,” Prodhomme said, beaming with joy. “I’m extremely happy to have won again in the Giro.” His win was all the more impressive given the fierce competition from the likes of Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz, who are vying for the top spot in the overall standings.
The stage was marked by the withdrawal of Portuguese rider Afonso Eulálio, leaving no Portuguese riders in the competition. Meanwhile, del Toro and Carapaz are pulling ahead of the pack, with del Toro gaining 2 seconds on Carapaz thanks to bonuses. The young Mexican rider, who has held the pink jersey since the 9th stage, seems stunned by his success. “I just can’t believe it,” he confessed.
Simon Yates, who had been a strong contender, fell behind and now seems out of the running for the pink jersey. He finished 1 minute and 21 seconds behind Prodhomme, a significant gap that may be insurmountable.
The stage saw a flurry of breakaways, with riders like Nico Denz, Kaden Groves, and David Gaudu making a bid for freedom. However, it was Prodhomme who managed to stay ahead of the pack, despite the best efforts of del Toro and Carapaz to catch up. The duo did manage to gain time on their rivals, including Simon Yates and Derek Gee, but it was too little, too late to catch Prodhomme.
As the Giro d’Italia heads into its final stages, the competition is heating up. The next stage, which covers 205 km between Verrès and Sestrière, promises to be a thrilling ride, with the finish line coinciding with a 3rd-category mountain climb. The stage will also feature the infamous Colle delle Finestre, a category-special climb that is sure to test the riders’ mettle. Will del Toro and Carapaz continue to dominate, or will another rider emerge to challenge their lead? The suspense is building, and the final stages of the Giro d’Italia are shaping up to be an unforgettable ride.
Key Players
- Nicolas Prodhomme: Stage 19 winner
- Isaac del Toro: Pink jersey holder
- Richard Carapaz: 2nd in the overall standings
- Simon Yates: 3rd in the overall standings
- Derek Gee: 4th in the overall standings
Stage 19 Results
- Nicolas Prodhomme: 1st place, 4:50:35
- Isaac del Toro: 2nd place, +0:58
- Richard Carapaz: 3rd place, +0:58