Magnier sprints – Paul Magnier powered to his third Giro d’Italia stage win in the 18th stage on Thursday, finishing two bike lengths ahead of Edoardo Zambanini after Jasper Stuyven set him up for the sprint. Jonas Vingegaard came through safely to keep the overall pink jersey
PIEVE DI SOLIGO, Italy — The sprint arrived like a switch being flipped: Jasper Stuyven delivered Paul Magnier into the final burst, and the Texas-born sprinter didn’t waste the opening.
In the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday. Magnier surged to his third stage victory. finishing two bike lengths ahead of Edoardo Zambanini with another Italian rider. Jonathan Milan. in third. For Magnier, the day carried an extra jolt of disbelief. “I did not expect it will happen today,” he said. “I was not confident in myself this morning, I even was dropped on the first climb. I cannot be more proud about this one.”.
Behind the scenes of Magnier’s celebration, the race’s biggest job was being done quietly. Overall leader Jonas Vingegaard finished safely in the leading group to keep his pink jersey with three days left. His advantage now sits at 4 minutes, 3 seconds over Felix Gall, while Thymen Arensman remains 4:27 behind in third place.
The stage itself had already shaped the sprint setup long before the line. Vingegaard surged over the top of the steep Muro di Ca’ del Poggio climb with about 10 kilometers remaining. a moment that mattered not just for legs. but for positioning and control. The final drama came closer still: an attack by Johannes Kulset and Afonso Eulálio was brought back just over 1. 200 meters from the finish. clearing the way for the stage win to be settled in a straight sprint.
Friday brings a different test. The 151-kilometer (94-mile) stage runs from Feltre to Alleghe in the high mountains.
The Giro’s final weekend is already in the distance: the race ends on Sunday in Rome. The women’s Giro runs from May 30 to June 7.
Giro d'Italia Paul Magnier Jonas Vingegaard Jasper Stuyven Edoardo Zambanini Jonathan Milan Thymen Arensman Felix Gall Johannes Kulset Afonso Eulálio
Didn’t expect a sprint that late. Giro cyclists are built different.
Why is it called pink jersey if it’s just the leader?? Seems weird. Also “two bike lengths” sounds like they just eyeballed it.
So Vingegaard just… stayed safe? Like he didn’t do anything? That’s the whole strategy now I guess. 4 minutes over Gall is nothing if they’re attacking every day. I thought this race was closer than that.
I’m confused, because it says Magnier got dropped on the first climb, then he wins the stage?? Must’ve been some crazy drafting or whatever. Also the “pink jersey kept” part, does that mean he can’t lose it unless he gets attacked? idk I just watch the highlights and I swear it’s always Italians in the sprint.