Composed Sivakov strengthens top 10 place

The 11-man group led the race until Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli–Sidermec) attacked to go solo and and was first over the Passo Manghen climb, while behind the general classification race was about to take shape.

Astana came to the fore on the Passo Manghen with 120km remaining, setting a ferocious pace before Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) attacked and dropped a host of GC men including Sivakov, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and Vincenzo NIbali (Bahrain Merida). 

However, the trio worked together to make the time up on the descent and they re-joined Lopez, MikelLanda and Richard Carapaz (both Movistar) who had also caught Dunbar’s lead group.

Following the descent there was a regrouping, with riders who had been dropped, including Sebastian Henao, on the previous climb coming back into contention. This short impasse saw the pace drop for a short period before Dunbar again reacted to an attack which saw the Irish rider in a group of seven at the head of the race who led until the final climb when they were caught by the top four duelling it out for podium positions. 

Dunbar was unable to match their pace as Bilbao and Landa attacked in the final to contest the stage win, while Sivakov followed the moves of his fellow GC rivals to ensure he maintained his overall position. 

Reaction

- Eddie Dunbar:

“It was a really hard day, the pace was really fast all day and it took the break ages to get away. Then once we were able to get clear, we had a strong group and again, it was really fast.

"It was a super tough day, but I’m still feeling as ok as you can after three weeks and I’m really looking forward to rounding my first Grand Tour off with the TT and to get the last out of the legs.”

What's next?

Stage 21 of the Giro d'Italia is a 17km time trial in Verona which features one categorised climb which could cause a shakeup in overall classification, but is unlikely to change who is wearing the maglia rosa on the final podium.