MONTE BONDONE, Italy—Geraint Thomas has reignited his quest to become the oldest winner of the Giro d’Italia by reclaiming the coveted pink jersey during a thrilling 16th stage in the Dolomites. The race has entered its dramatic final week, and Thomas showcased his resilience by securing a crucial stage victory atop Monte Bondone, narrowly losing out to João Almeida in a sprint finish.
Almeida, the Portuguese cyclist, celebrated his maiden triumph in a Grand Tour as he crossed the finish line just ahead of Thomas, who gained valuable bonus seconds. Primož Roglič finished in third place, trailing 25 seconds behind. These results reshuffled the leaderboard, with Thomas reclaiming the overall lead, now holding an 18-second advantage over Almeida and a 29-second gap over Roglič.
Reflecting on the stage, Thomas expressed his satisfaction with the outcome despite falling short of the stage win. Recognizing the threat posed by Almeida and Roglič, he opted to collaborate with the Portuguese rider to maintain their advantage. Although Almeida emerged victorious in the sprint, Thomas found solace in reclaiming the pink jersey and extending his lead.
At 37 years old, Thomas inches closer to becoming the oldest winner of the Giro d’Italia, a record currently held by Fiorenzo Magni, who achieved the feat at the age of 34 in 1955. As the race approaches its conclusion in Rome in three days’ time, Thomas aims to further solidify his position at the top.
The 16th stage marked the beginning of a grueling final week, characterized by extreme difficulty. This stage, along with two others in the last six, has been awarded the highest difficulty rating of five stars. With over 5,000 meters of elevation and five categorized climbs along the challenging 203-kilometer route from Sabbio Chiese, the riders faced an arduous test, culminating in the demanding ascent to the finish atop Monte Bondone.
It was on this final climb that the race ignited with Almeida launching his attack less than seven kilometers from the finish. Shortly after, Thomas made a decisive move, bridging the gap to set the stage for a thrilling battle for victory. While Almeida had previously worn the maglia rosa without claiming a stage win in his three prior Giro appearances, he finally fulfilled his ambition. The UAE Team Emirates cyclist, who also competed in the Spanish Vuelta last year, expressed his elation at realizing his dream after several near misses. Almeida described the day as exceptionally challenging, with relentless uphill and downhill stretches, pushing his legs to their limits. However, his determination and risk-taking paid off, leading him to triumph.
As the riders prepare for the 17th stage, a 195-kilometer route from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle, they can expect a temporary respite. The stage begins with a gradual descent followed by a long, flat finish, likely resulting in a bunch sprint. Seasoned sprint specialist Mark Cavendish, aiming for his 19th Giro victory, recently announced his intention to retire at the end of the season, making this stage an opportunity for him to leave a lasting mark on the race.
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