(Bergamo) The American Brandon McNulty won the 15e stage of the Giro d’Italia, scoring his first victory in a Grand Tour.
Frenchman Bruno Armirail retained the leader’s pink jersey as the final week approached.
McNulty (Team Emirates), beat Ben Healy and Marco Frigo at the end of the difficult 195 km course between Seregno and Bergamo.
” I’m very happy. That was my goal coming here, said McNulty. I wanted a stage win, but I didn’t feel good for the time trial.
“I wanted to finish solo, but at least I managed to sprint. Hopefully it will motivate the rest of the team in the general classification. »
Team Emirates’ Joao Almeida is fourth overall, one and a half minutes behind Armirail.
McNulty, Healy and Frigo were part of a large breakaway at the start of the stage.
Healy attacked on the final graded climb and McNulty caught him on the descent, followed by Frigo with 10 kilometers to go.
Frigo was dropped again on the unclassified climb shortly before the finish, but the Italian’s superb downhill skills saw him catch the other two shortly before the final sprint.
Geraint Thomas led a group of riders in the general classification to the finish – almost seven minutes behind McNulty, but 33 seconds ahead of Armirail.
Armirail’s advantage over Thomas was reduced to one minute and eight seconds.
PHOTO MASSIMO PAOLONE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bruno Armirail
Primoz Roglic is two additional seconds behind.
Derek Gee of Ottawa is 32e in the general classification. He finished 98e Sunday.
Monday will be the second and last day of rest before the Dolomites, where the last week will be demanding.
Three of the last six stages received the maximum difficulty rating of five stars.
This includes Tuesday’s with more than 5,000 m of elevation, along the 203 km between Sabbio Chiese and Monte Bondone. There will be a first category climb until the finish.
The Giro will end in Rome next Sunday.