Almeida battles tough Giro test to take white jersey

Joao Almeida put in a gritty ride to take 6th place and move into the white jersey on Stage 14 of the Giro D’Italia from Santena to Torino (147km).

Though just 147km in length, the stage proved to be one of the most demanding with attacks and splits in the group from the opening kilometres.

Alessandro Covi entered some of the early breakaway moves, though work in the peloton from Bora-Hasgrohe would see the race quickly regroup as the bunch set a frenetic pace.
Simon Yates (Bike Exchange) would solo away to take the stage with an attack at 5km to go, with Almeida 39’’ back in 6th spot.

Despite suffering moments of crisis, Almeida clawed his way back to the group of favourites each time during the day to save his strong overall position.

Almeida: “I’m satisfied with my performance today. I was chasing for a lot of the stage and it was hard, but I think that it was the same for everyone today. The gaps in the overall classification are still quite small so everything is possible, we just need to keep fighting. Tomorrow is going to be another hard stage so we look ahead to that.”

Almeida continues to sit towards the head of the GC in 3rd place at 30’’ behind new race leader Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers).

Tomorrow Stage 15 will go from Rivarolo Canavese to Cogne (177km) with over 4000 metres of climbing.

 
Stage 14 results

1.Simon Yates (Bike Exchange) 3:43:44
2.Jai Hindley (Bora Hansgrohe) +15’’
3.Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) s.t
6.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +39’’

General Classification after stage 14

1.Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) 51:28:21
2.Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) +7’’
3. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +30’’