Stage 8 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia delivered a defining moment for Luke Plapp, who struck out solo with 45 kilometres to go and held off a fragmented chase to take his first ever Grand Tour stage win in Castelraimondo. Behind him, Diego Ulissi sealed an emotional day by moving into the maglia rosa after a four-minute gap opened to the peloton, ending Primoz Roglic’s stint in pink.
The day began in Giulianova under bright skies but tensions in the bunch were high, with a tough 197km profile and the category 1 Sassotetto climb midway through the stage. The early skirmishes were relentless. It was Roglic himself who tried to light things up, forming the first promising move alongside Mads Pedersen, Mattia Cattaneo and Davide De Pretto. They were eventually caught, with the real breakaway forming only after nearly 90km.
Once it finally went clear, the 20-rider move included Plapp, Wilco Kelderman, Romain Bardet, Lorenzo Fortunato, Igor Arrieta, Diego Ulissi and Georg Steinhauser. Fortunato was the best placed overall and briefly sat in the virtual lead, but the GC picture changed as the stage wore on.
On Sassotetto, Bardet and Fortunato pushed the pace but couldn’t shake the group. After descending and regrouping, a new selection formed on the Montelago climb. Ulissi, Kelderman and Arrieta were joined by Plapp at the front. Plapp, knowing his sprint chances were slim, surged clear just before the summit.
With 45km to go, Plapp had committed. His advantage stretched to over a minute as the terrain became more rolling. Arrieta tried to bridge but only disrupted the rhythm of the chase. Eventually, he was recaught by Ulissi and Kelderman, but their cohesion couldn’t reel in the Australian.
Behind, the peloton hovered over five minutes down. UAE Team Emirates picked up the pace on the final climb to Gagliole, with Juan Ayuso and Tom Pidcock both attacking, but it was too little too late. Plapp flew through the final kilometres alone and had time to sit up and soak in the moment as he crossed the line 38 seconds ahead of Kelderman and Ulissi.
Roglic’s group finished nearly five minutes back, handing Ulissi the race lead by 12 seconds over Fortunato and 17 seconds over Roglic.
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“It’s crazy, I still can’t believe it,” Plapp said after the finish. “We targeted this day for weeks and I’m so happy it worked out. I knew I couldn’t win a sprint, so I had to go long. I just wanted a head start on the descent, and to actually make it all the way – that’s something special.”
The 24-year-old also reflected on a difficult few months. “From the Olympics last year to wrist surgery in February, then crashing in the first time trial – this win makes everything worth it.”
Plapp’s effort was even more impressive considering he was managing a cramp in his left leg and wrist pain that still required taping. “It’s probably going to trouble me the rest of the season, but I’m racing through it. It’s what makes this even more meaningful.”
Diego Ulissi, who took the maglia rosa for the first time in his career, was overwhelmed. “When I saw the jersey with XDS Astana on it, I became emotional. I’ve won stages before, but never worn pink. To do it at 35, and to ride into my home region of Tuscany tomorrow wearing it, is everything.”
Ulissi credited his team’s work to place both him and Fortunato in the day’s break. “We started the day targeting the stage win. Plapp was stronger in the end, but I’m proud of how I rode on this terrain.”
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team boss Christian Pomer confirmed that they had no intention of defending the jersey through such a tough stage. “We didn’t want the jersey today. Our biggest concern was the team car order for tomorrow’s gravel stage – so being second overall is ideal.”
Wilco Kelderman admitted he hadn’t expected such a ride. “Honestly, I didn’t feel great this morning. I made a few moves early on and hoped for the best. Luke was just stronger today, no question.”
Stage 9 will head into Tuscany, with gravel sectors adding a twist to the GC battle. Ulissi will carry the maglia rosa through his home region – a moment he described as a dream come true.
Photo Credit: LaPresse2025 Giro d’Italia Stage 8 result
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Main photo credit: LaPresse
