PINEROLO, Italy: Matteo Trentin took a brilliant victory on the Giro d’Italia 18th stage as race leader Steven Kruijswijk comfortably held onto the pink jersey on Thursday.
Italian Trentin was part of a four-man chase group behind Etixx team-mate Gianluca Brambilla and Moreno Moser coming into the finish.
But as Brambilla played the team game sitting in Moser’s wheel, Trentin made up a 15-second deficit before flying straight past the two leaders with less than 300-meters left to take the victory.
Dutchman Kruijswijk comfortably monitored any potential threats to his lead and finished in group of overall contenders to maintain his three-minute lead over Esteban Chaves in the standings.
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde is third ahead of former winner and 2015 Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy.
Italian Trentin was part of a four-man chase group behind Etixx team-mate Gianluca Brambilla and Moreno Moser coming into the finish.
But as Brambilla played the team game sitting in Moser’s wheel, Trentin made up a 15-second deficit before flying straight past the two leaders with less than 300-meters left to take the victory.
Dutchman Kruijswijk comfortably monitored any potential threats to his lead and finished in group of overall contenders to maintain his three-minute lead over Esteban Chaves in the standings.
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde is third ahead of former winner and 2015 Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy.
