2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 7 Results & Recap
Stage 7 of the 2019 Giro d'Italia is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Seven is heaven for Pello Bilbao, securing victory on the seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Spaniard was able to distance his breakaway companions in the final two kilometres, earning Astana their first stage victory in the 102nd edition of the Grand Tour. The 29-year-old was able to celebrate his win in the glorious sunshine on the streets of L’Aquila, celebrating as he crossed the line in front of fellow breakaway riders Tony Gallopin (ALM) and Davide Formolo (BOH).
The day began with an unrelenting peloton, who were determined to shut down any and every attempt of a breakaway. Many tried and many failed. 19 riders went up the road with 160km to go, only for 19 riders to promptly get reabsorbed by the peloton before the first intermediate sprint of the day.
Pascal Ackermann (BOH) crossed the line in Ortona unchallenged, ahead of Jan Bakelants (SUN) and Krists Neilands (ICA). The German extended his lead in the sprint competition while donning the purple jersey.
Kristian Sbaragli (ICA) dug the deepest to get some ground between himself and the peloton, establishing a lead of a few seconds, but the continual stream of chasing riders did nothing except bring him back to the peloton.
While the riders rode through the picturesque town of Poggiofiorito, welcoming the Giro d’Italia with streets lined with pink balloons, UAE Team Emirates fans were welcomed with unwanted news. Fernando Gaviria (UAD) abandoned the Giro d’Italia with left knee soreness. He wasn’t alone, as Laurens De Plus (TJV) abandoned a few kilometres later – surely a blow for Primož Roglic (TJV) later on in the Grand Tour.
A 19-rider breakaway formed with 118 kilometres to go, quickly gaining a minute on the peloton. The highest placed rider in the break was Valentin Madouas (GFC), 2’29” down on Valerio Conti (UAD). The second intermediate sprint waited for the breakaway in Ripa Teatina. José Joaquín Rojas (MOV) crossed the line ahead of Valentin Madouas (GFC) and Michael Gogl (TFS).
100 kilometres to go marked the city of Chieti. Chieti welcomed the Giro d’Italia at its inaugural edition in 1909; Giovanni Cuniolo edged out fellow countryman Luigi Gaanna for victory on the second stage, but only after riding 375.8 kilometres from Bologna. It took 14 hours. Thankfully, today’s stage was markedly shorter. Chieti is also the hometown of Giulio Ciccone (TFS), who could proudly ride through the city with the mountains jersey on his back.
As the breakaway rode closer to the only categorised climb of the day – the category two Le Svolte di Popoli - their group decreased in size. Thomas De Gendt (LTS) and Rubén Plaza (ICA) began to slow down up the 8.9-kilometre climb, eventually rejoining the peloton. The points at the summit of the Le Svolte di Popoli climb were not contested. Antonio Pedrero (MOV) received 18 points, Andrey Zeits (AST) gained 8, as Lucas Hamilton (MTS), Pello Bilbao (AST), José Joaquín Rojas (MOV) and Jay Mccarthy (BOH) were awarded 6, 4, 2 and 1 point respectively.
Back at the head the peloton, Trek-Segafredo took control over UAE Team Emirates. Michael Gogl (TFS) put in a large effort, decreasing the gap to the breakaway to under two minutes by the time they had all crossed under the 20 kilometres to go banner. At 14 kilometres to go, they had reduced the gap to just 1’16”.
They would never be able to catch the tenacious breakaway, however, who were dropping riders on the tricky finish into L’Aquila. The regional capital of Abruzzo was still recovering after an earthquake in 2009 – the deadliest earthquake to hit Italy since 1980. It had unfortunately caused untold damage to the cultural heritage of the regional capital and surrounding areas.
Sebastián Henao (INS) couldn’t keep up. With 7.5km to go, the Colombian dropped back, just as Hugh Carthy (EF1) attacked from the peloton. The eventual five-man breakaway of Pello Bilbao (AST), Mattia Cattaneo (ANS), Davide Formolo (BOH), Tony Gallopin (ALM) and José Joaquín Rojas (MOV) would contest for the win. José Joaquín Rojas (MOV) was quick to attack with just three kilometres remaining, but was soon brought back. Then it was the turn of #Pello Bilbao (AST) to attack the group, and the four men looked at each other. This lack of cohesion allowed the Astana rider to form an unbridgeable gap with two kilometres to go, and he had time to celebrate on the finish line in L’Aquila.
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