Giro d'Italia

Gianmarco Garofoli delivered an impressive top-ten finish for Soudal Quick-Step at the Corsa Rosa, at the end of a gruelling day of racing, which took in three classified climbs – including Monte Grappa – and almost 4000 vertical meters. The result came as a testament of the young Italian’s fighting spirit and bravery, constantly put on display during stage 15, which started with 100 kilometers of flat roads.

This made for an insane start, as dozens of riders did their best to make it into the breakaway, knowing there was a big chance for it to succeed. Paul Magnier was the first Soudal Quick-Step rider to try, but after briefly getting a gap together with other men, the peloton came back. Multiple attacks continued to be made, but it was only 80 kilometers into the stage that a large group comprising Mattia Cattaneo and Gianmarco Garofoli broke away and put three minutes into the bunch.

Monte Grappa, a 25km-long climb where history was written numerous times, spelled the end of the group’s time at the front once the maglia rosa favourites began attacking. Their forcing wiped out the advantage of the escapees with rather ease and turned the stage into a proper GC fight which continued all the way until the descent, where things calmed down. In the valley, another breakaway formed, and Garofoli booked a place there. The Italian showed endless grinta by going in pursuit of Carlos Verona (Lidl-Trek) and almost coming across on Dori, the final ascent of the stage.

Despite not making the catch, Garofoli continued to believe in his chance and together with Filippo Zana (Jayco-AlUla), who came from behind, he emptied himself in pursuit of the Spaniard. In the final kilometers, the duo was caught by their former breakaway companions, but the 22-year-old still had one last ounce of energy which he used to finish seventh, just a couple of seconds in front of the GC men, who came at a rapid pace from behind.

It was such a hard day of racing!

“The plan was to try to go in the breakaway and see how things go there, which I managed despite it not being an easy task. I didn’t feel quite well these days, because of the two broken ribs that I have, but I did my best today. On Monte Grappa, I actually felt good, but I struggled on the last ascent, which I found to be more difficult. It was a brutal stage, with a fast tempo from the beginning, and I gave my best. Considering everything, I can be proud of my result”, said Gianmarco after his maiden top ten at the Giro d’Italia.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images