The Giro d’Italia was shaken up on Saturday by a crash in the peloton. Isaac del Toro strengthened his leading position in the general classification, while Kasper Asgreen achieved an impressive stage victory.
The most important moment of the fourteenth stage took place more than 20 kilometers from the finish in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. Part of the peloton crashed on a rain-soaked cobblestone street.
The damage was enormous, especially among the general classification contenders. Juan Ayuso, Primoz Roglic, and Egan Bernal had to chase and lost almost a minute. Antonio Tiberi finished with an even larger deficit, while Giulio Ciccone had to abandon his ambitions for the general classification.
Del Toro was in the front part of the peloton, where Visma-Lease a Bike set the pace. Simon Yates, Richard Carapaz, Derek Gee, and Damiano Caruso were also in this group. Yates is the new number two in the standings, 1 minute and 20 seconds behind Del Toro.
Visma-Lease a Bike wanted to lead Olav Kooij to his second stage win, but could not catch the unleashed escapee Asgreen in the hilly final. The thirty-year-old Dane from EF Education-EasyPost was the strongest of four adventurers and achieved a brilliant stage victory.
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Asgreen Achieves A Fine Stage Victory After a Chaotic Final in Giro
Arensman Enters Top ten
With his victory, Asgreen ended two lean years. Last season he did not achieve a single victory. Sixteen seconds behind Asgreen, Kaden Groves sprinted to second place in the stage results. Kooij had to settle for third place.
Thymen Arensman was in the chasing group with, among others, Bernal, Ayuso and Roglic. Yet the 25-year-old Dutchman made a leap in the standings. Arensman is now tenth, 3 minutes and 45 seconds behind Del Toro.
The Giro continues on Sunday with a mountain stage. The riders have to cross the 25 kilometer long Monte Grappa, but the final seems not too difficult. On Monday, the riders enjoy a rest day.