Jonathan Milan has clinched Stage 13 of the 107th Giro d’Italia, a 179km ride from Riccione to Cento. Poland’s Stanisław Aniołkowski and Germany’s Phil Bauhaus finished second and third, respectively.
The flattest stage of the 2024 Giro began as expected, with only three Italians from second-division teams venturing into the breakaway. Andrea Pietrobon, Manuele Tarozzi, and Alessandro Tonelli led the race from the coastal start in Riccione, building a three-minute advantage early on. Sprint teams controlled the pace on the flat Emilia Romagna roads.
The calm was disrupted 62km from the finish when Ineos Grenadiers ignited the action in the crosswinds. Tobias Foss took the lead, causing a significant split in the peloton and forming echelons. This move caught out several riders, including Jonathan Milan, a top favourite for the day.
Despite this, Milan’s team quickly organised a furious chase. Milan himself worked hard at the front, and with 50km remaining, they almost made contact with the lead group. They eventually rejoined the front 43km from Cento, though Milan expended significant energy in the process. Meanwhile, the likes of Merlier and Ewan stayed safely in front.
A last-minute attack by Dries De Pooter and Martin Marcellusi with 30km to go was quickly neutralised. This chase saw a crash involving Filippo Zana, underscoring the nervous tension in the peloton.
As the race neared the finish, narrowing roads heightened the nerves. With 5km remaining, GC teams Ineos and UAE moved to the front, ensuring safe passage for Pogačar and Thomas. Jayco AlUla led with 2km to go, but Caleb Ewan was absent from their train. Lidl-Trek then took control, positioning Milan perfectly for the final sprint.
Fernando Gaviria launched first, but Milan surged past him, securing his third stage victory of the Giro. Aniołkowski took second, with Bauhaus in third. Lidl-Trek’s teamwork earned praise from Milan, who said, “The guys, like always, did an amazing job. We really pushed full gas to come back and catch the first group and then we always stayed in the first positions, then they delivered me in the perfect position.”
Tadej Pogacar retained the Maglia Rosa, staying safe in the crosswinds and leading the front echelon. “So far, something happened in every stage of the Giro d’Italia and today was no exception,” Pogacar noted. “It was flat but with some twisty roads and a little bit of wind, Ineos tried to do something but we were there with the team and there was not enough crosswind. It was more of a headwind. They have a strong team to do that. If I was them, I’d also try something like that. It was worth trying. Tomorrow I hope to have the same feelings as in the last TT and finish very strongly. Then we’ll have the queen stage on Sunday and it will be a nice day.”
2024 Giro d’Italia Stage 13 result
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Photo credits: LaPresse