Alessandro Covi shines to take 3rd on the Zoncolan

Grand Tour debutant Alessandro Covi continued to impress on stage 14 of the Giro d’Italia, with the 22 year old taking 3rd place on the iconic climb of the Zoncolan.

 
On a day which took the riders from Cittadella to Monte Zoncolan (205km), the Italian made it into the main 11-man break which held a lead of over 7 minutes with 150km still left to ride.

As the riders neared the base of the final ascent, Lorenzo Fortunato (Eolo-Kometa) and Jan Tratnik (Bahrain-Victorious) established a gap, opening up 40’’ on the chasers. Covi waited and made his move with just over 2km to the line, setting out in pursuit of the leaders, but never managed to close the gap.

Fortunato took the stage honours while Covi held off a chasing group of favourites to claim his second top-3 of this Giro.

Covi: “This morning we decided to try and fight for the breakaway, I managed to get in it and then I gave it my all on the last climb which was really tough. I am happy with my condition which keeps getting better and we hope to have more opportunities and give it another go in the remaining stages.”

Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) continues to lead the race with Davide Formolo gaining two places to move up to 16th at 9’52’’. Tomorrow stage 15 takes the riders from Grado to Gorizia (147km) over a mainly flat course.

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At the Vuelta a Andalucia, Sven Erik Bystrom sprinted to take 5th place on the final day of action on Stage 5 from Vera to Pulpí (107km).

The Norwegian finished at the head of a heavily reduced group on what was a crash-marred finish with Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) winning the stage. Ryan Gibbons finished in the second group on the road and ends the week with 12th in the GC at 3’13’’ behind race winner Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar).

Tomorrow the action continues in Spain with the Vuelta Murcia (1.1) where the riders from Vuelta Andalucia will be in action again.

 
Giro d’Italia Stage 14 results

1. Lorenzo Fortunato (Eolo-Kometa) 5:17:22
2. Jan Tratnik (Bahrain-Victorious) +26’’
3.Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates) +59’’

 
Giro d’Italia General Classification after stage 14

1.Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) 53:11:42
2. Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) +45’’
3.Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) +1’12’’
18. Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +7’16’’

Vuelta Andalucia Stage 5 results

1.Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) 2:27:12
2.Philip Walsleben (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t
3.Toms Skujins(Trek-Segafredo) s.t
5.Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

Vuelta Andalucia Final General Classification
1. Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) 21:06:55
2.Antwan Toelhoek (Jumbo-Visma) +20’’
3.Julen Amezqueta (Caja-Rural) +1’10’’
12. Ryan Gibbons (UAE Team Emirates) 3’13’’