Nico Denz won the eighteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday. The German crowned a fine solo with the victory in a transitional stage. Dylan van Baarle and Daan Hoole fell short.
The 31-year-old Denz rode away from a leading group of eleven riders 19 kilometers from the finish in Cesano Maderno. Van Baarle and Hoole also belonged to that group. Denz quickly gained a gap and crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead.
The Italian Mirco Maestri won the sprint for second place, just over a minute behind. The Belgian Edward Planckaert finished third. Hoole and Van Baarle had to settle for seventh and eleventh place respectively.
It is the third stage victory for Denz in the Giro d’Italia. Two years ago, the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider won two stages in the Italian cycling round.
Denz was initially part of a large leading group of more than thirty riders. That group, which also included Rick Pluimers, fell apart after more than 30 kilometers.