Giro d'Italia (st.8)
Nelson Oliveira fought hard to form the break and ended up in 4th position in a stage won by Lafay (COF) followed by Gavazzi (EOK) and Arndt (DSM).
It took 60 out of the total 180 km to form a break in this 8th stage of the 2021 Giro d’Italia between Foggia and Guardia Sanframondi. But before the fight for the break there was a large group left behind due to the crosswinds in which the ‘Maglia Rosa’, Valter (GFC), was present along with Bardet (DSM).
This led to a short but intense fight as the front group was commanded by IGD and were pushing to maintain the gap. Marc Soler was well positioned in this group helped by Nelson Oliveira and avoided any trouble. Eventually though DSM managed to connect with the front and the peloton was grouped.
From this moment a raw fight began to conform a break that would satisfy the GC contenders, Matteo Jorgenson and Einer Rubio tried to catch the good cut. But it was Nelson Oliveira who, thanks to his persistency, managed to integrate a 9 men group that had up to 7 minutes when reaching the top of Bocca della Selva, the 2nd category climb at 50 km to go.
The stage win was clearly on the break so attacks began on the break, with Gaviria (UAD) trying and crashing on the descent, luckily with no major injuries. Afterwards, at 18 km to go Campenaerts (TQA), Gougeard (ACT) and Goosens (LTS) made several attempts.
At 3 to go Carboni (BCF) and Campenaerts (TQA) managed to get a 15″ second gap from the break, but a late attack by Lafay (COF) was the winning move, securing a solo win in Guardia Sanframondi.
Nelson Oliveira tried to close most of the gaps and even attacked to join the head of the race but in the end finished 4th at 41″, minor prize for an outstanding effort made by the Portuguese today.
Pure mountain for tomorrow between Castel di Sangro and Campo Felice (Rocca di Cambio), 4 climbs on the menu with and uphill finish in a 1st category climb that will end in a 4 km ‘sterrato’ sector.
– Start at 12.15 h, finish around 16.40 h; broadcasted by Eurosport 2 and GCN+ starting 12:10 h.
Cover image (c): BettiniPhoto
- 01 Victor Lafay Cofidis 4h06'47"
- 02 Francesco Gavazzi EOLO-Kometa +36"
- 03 Nikias Arndt Team DSM +37"
- 04 Nelson Oliveira Movistar Team +41"
- 16 Marc Soler Movistar Team +4'48"
- 56 Antonio Pedrero Movistar Team +5'48"
- 90 Einer Rubio Movistar Team +8'44"
- 99 Dario Cataldo Movistar Team +9'40"
- 100 Matteo Jorgenson Movistar Team "
- 101 Davide Villella Movistar Team "
- 171 Albert Torres Movistar Team +14'11"
- 01 Attila Valter Groupama-FDJ 31h10'53"
- 02 Remco Evenepoel Deceuninck - Quick Step +11"
- 03 Egan Bernal INEOS Grenadiers +16"
- 13 Marc Soler Movistar Team +1'14"
- 33 Nelson Oliveira Movistar Team +11'02"
- 38 Antonio Pedrero Movistar Team +16'24"
- 41 Einer Rubio Movistar Team +18'01"
- 45 Davide Villella Movistar Team +21'50"
- 56 Dario Cataldo Movistar Team +27'32"
- 108 Matteo Jorgenson Movistar Team +52'30"
- 174 Albert Torres Movistar Team +1h18'29"