Narvaez second in Coppi e Bartali sprint

Narvaez was closest to stage winner Andrea Bagioli (Deuceunick-Quick-Step) who has moved into the race lead. 

The Ecuadorian is 13 seconds back on Bagioli on General Classification and Sport Director Brett Lancaster believes the team’s consistency may pay dividends in the two remaining stages. 

He told INEOSGrenadiers.com: “Our plan was to have the full team together heading into the last climb, which we managed to do, and Ethan Hayter especially did a great job, pulling onto the front for most of the climb.  By the time he pulled off, Sosa and Narvaez were able to contest a very reduced sprint. 

“We’ve had four second places in three days if you include Memorial Marco Pantani on Sunday, which shows we’re consistent on different types of stages. As now we’ve had second places in a sprint, a one day race and a TTT this week.

“The boys are in a positive mood and we’re in contention with another couple of days to go and we’ll be aiming to get Jhonatan on top of the podium.”