More mountains at the Corsa Rosa as the race gets closer to Verona.
The race headed into the Alps for the last stage of the second week, a mountainous affair, a hard day of racing over a course that slotted three mountain passes in the space of just 177 kilometers: Pila, Verrogne and Cogne. The last of these was once an important mining center but in recent decades had turned into a famous tourist resort, and Sunday afternoon it got to host a finish at Il Giro for the first time.
The battle for the breakaway featured some intense and tactical racing, but eventually, two hours after the start, a mammoth 27-man group got away and pulled out a six-minute advantage over the peloton. The breakaway, despite being reduced to just a handful of riders by the time they tackled the final ascent, held off the chasers, and Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) took the win.
Mark Cavendish, who on Sunday rode his 300th Grand Tour stage, made the cut with the help of his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl teammates, and after a well-deserved rest day, will resume the race Tuesday, when the bunch will depart from Salo for another tough day in the saddle that is set to conclude in Aprica.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
