(Sappada) Andrea Vendrame’s attack on the descent allowed him to win the 19e stage of the Tour of Italy, Friday.
This is the Italian’s second stage victory at the Giro, after that obtained in 2021.
Vendrame stopped the clock just under four hours during this undulating 157-kilometer stage between Mortegliano and Sappada, which included three climbs in the final 60 kilometers.
Vendrame escaped quickly and then attacked the descent of the penultimate climb towards Sella Valcalda.
Pelayo Sanchez crossed the finish line 54 seconds behind Vendrame. Georg Steinhauser took third place.
The leader in the general classification, Tadej Pogacar, avoided risks and finished the race about 15 minutes behind Vendrame.
Pogacar, however, remained at the top of the general classification, 7:42 ahead of Daniel Martinez and 8:04 ahead of Geraint Thomas.
Already a double winner of the Tour de France, Pogacar is trying to win the Giro and the Grande Boucle this year, a feat that has not been achieved since 1998, by Marco Pantani.
Thomas fell with only 10 kilometers left to ride, but he quickly changed his mount and caught up with the leaders in the general classification.
The 20e Stage scheduled for Saturday features the final climbs of the race. The 184 kilometer walk will pass from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa, with two first category climbs to Monte Grappa, followed by a downhill finish.
The Giro will end in Rome on Sunday, during a stage which will favor the sprinters.