Stage 17 took in three categorized climbs on the way from Commezzadura to Anterselva, in south Tyrol where an uphill finale awaited the riders after 181 km in the saddle. Although the route contained only one Category 4 and two category 3 climbs, around 2.800 vertical metres still had to be conquered. The first two ascents came in 108 and 129km respectively. About 28km before the finish, the terrain went uphill again, before the riders arrived at the foot of the final 5.5km long climb. This ascent was particularly demanding, with an average gradient of 8.5 per cent.
After the Flamme rouge, the remaining course took the riders to a flat finish in the Biathlon Stadium of Anterselva. Several breakaway attempts at the start of the race remained fruitless but after 40 km a group of 11 riders were able to break free. On the sinuous descent of the unclassified climb, a small group joined the leaders up front. The main field, led by Movistar, was contented to give the breakaway some rope and the advantage to the peloton stretched to more than 6 minutes at the halfway mark of the race.
At the foot of the ascent to Elvas, a sole rider attacked out of the breakaway and was able carve out a small advantage over his breakaway companions. Back in the peloton, Movistar was joined by Bahrain-Merida and Ineos in the pace making. In the meantime, up front Davide Formolo was able to bridge to a 7-men group that escaped the lead and together they were able to distance themselves from the chasing group which in turn had an advantage of 6 minutes to the main field.
With only 27km to go, the chasers caught up to the leaders and together they had an advantage of 5:50 ahead of the peloton. With such a big gap to the peloton, it became evident that the winner of today’s stage would come from the leading group. It was not long until some of the leaders attacked within the last 8km. On the climb to the finish N. Peters was able to get a minute on the chasing group which continued Davide Formolo. On the last kilometres Davide tried to fight his way back to the sole leader while back in the main field several of the GC contenders attacked to gain time. In the end N. Peters won the stage convincingly ahead of E. Chaves and D. Formolo who now sits in 10th Position in the general classification. Carapaz is still in the leader jersey.
Stage Result
01 N. Peters 4:41:34
02 E. Chaves +1:34
03 D. Formolo +1:51
38 R. Majka +5:47
General Classification
1 CARAPAZ Richard Movistar Team 74:48:18
2 NIBALI Vincenzo Bahrain Merida 1:54
3 ROGLIČ Primož Team Jumbo-Visma 2:16
4 LANDA Mikel Movistar Team 3:03
5 MOLLEMA Bauke Trek – Segafredo 5:07
6 LÓPEZ Miguel Ángel Astana Pro Team 6:17
7 MAJKA Rafał BORA – hansgrohe 6:48
8 YATES Simon Mitchelton-Scott 7:13
9 SIVAKOV Pavel Team INEOS 8:21
10 FORMOLO Davide BORA – hansgrohe 8:59
From the finish line
“Yesterday was a tough day and we didn’t know what would be possible today. We wanted to try and get into the breakaway because there was a good chance that they might succeed. I was able to get into the break and we carved out a considerable advantage to the main field. In the end it became clear that the winner of todays’ stage would come from the group of escapees and I wanted to give my best to have a chance. In the end it wasn’t enough and I could not catch up to the sole leader but I am still happy with third place.”
– Davide Formolo
