Bernal kicks to fifth as Giro GC hopes continue

Egan Bernal powered to fifth place on the 11th stage of the Giro d’Italia, with Thymen Arensman maintaining 10th on the GC.

Bernal finished just behind solo winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education - Easy Post) in the bunch, powering to fifth place to maintain his GC position in 11th place, while Arensman rode strongly, battling back to finish in the same group in 14th.

The 186km stage saw Josh Tarling and Jonathan Castroveijo make the first significant move of the day for the Grenadiers, heading up the road as the riders began to approach the major climb of the day, the category one Alpe San Pellegrino.

The pair pushed on with a group of 30 riders at the start of the climb, before Bernal attacked from the group behind. Castroveijo dropped back to help, and Bernal rode straight onto his wheel, powering along with Juan Ayuso and GC lead Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates - XRG).

The four continued to work together, but the peloton regrouped as they reached the top of the punishing pass. Bernal was rejoined by Arensman who worked hard to regain contact following the climb.

A group of five went clear, but were caught within the final 15km, with Lucas Hamilton and Brandon Rivera both pulling strong turns at the front of the chasing peloton.

With seven kilometres remaining, Carapaz attacked hard, allowing him to take the hilltop win on his own, while the bunch sprinted behind to see Bernal take fifth and Arensman 14th.

Reaction:

Egan Bernal - “Before the stage, we planned we may attack in the Alpe San Pellegrino climb if we were feeling good legs. We were aware that there were many kilometres to go from the summit, but we wanted to try our luck and test the other GC riders. Had somebody struggled, we may have continued pushing.

“I was not feeling super at the start of the stage, but my body improved as kilometres went by.

“I’m happy that Richard Carapaz has won. He deserved this victory: he is very brave and his attack was very powerful.

“I missed the right attack, as I was a bit too far back and thought they would reel him back in. Anything can happen in this kind of stage.”