Giro d'Italia

The penultimate mountain stage of the Corsa Rosa took the peloton over five classified climbs – Croce Serra, Col Tzecore, Col Saint-Pantaleon, Col de Joux and Antagnod – for a total of 5000 vertical meters that poured lead into the riders’ legs, but contrary to expectations, didn’t deliver too many significant changes to the general classification.

Another sizable breakaway formed after a furious start, and for the third consecutive day, Soudal Quick-Step’s Mattia Cattaneo was there, resisting at the front until the early slopes of the fourth ascent. From the leading group, a selection was made and Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon-AG2R) attacked and opened a gap that he carried all the way to the finish of stage 19.

In the general classification, James Knox cemented his place in the top 20 ahead of Saturday’s gruelling stage that will see the race return on the unsurfaced double-digit gradients of Colle delle Finestre, a climb that at its previous appearances always has played an important role in the outcome.

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