JONATHAN MILAN GRABS 2ND PLACE IN PHOTO FINISH ON STAGE 17
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| Jonathan Milan continued his outstanding Giro d’Italia with another top result as he sprinted to second place in Caorle, beaten by Dainese (DSM) at the photo finish. |
| Stage 17 from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle (196.5km) could be considered a transition one after the tough Monte Bondone day. The peloton enjoyed a sunny day running on a completely flat course from the mountains to the seaside. Keeping in mind that the stage was the penultimate chance for sprinters, the fast men’s teams controlled the four-man breakaway. |
The Bahrain Victorious’ ciclamino jersey Jonathan Milan was protected well throughout the day to bring him safely towards the finish and improve his tally in the points classification, with the hope of a stage win. |
| With only 4 points left in the intermediate sprint following the breakaway riders, they were easily taken by Milan, who was looking forward to sprinting to win in front of his whole family. |
After the last survivor of the day’s break Senne Leysen (Alpecin Deceuninck) was caught with 5 km to go, the sprinters’ squads started to work for their men on a nervous course that led to the seaside town of Caorle. With 300 meters to go Matthews (Jayco Alula) opened the sprint. Jonny came from behind to contest the stage but his power was not enough to defeat Dainese.
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“There is a bit of bitterness” Milan comments after his 4th-second place at this Giro “I don’t have to be disappointed for a second place at the Giro, but after the fantastic job done by the team, I wanted to repay the guys with a win. They controlled the race with the goal of bringing victory. And for this reason, I’m sad about not having finalised it with the highest spot on the podium. |
| I tried my best, but it went like this. |
| Before the final bend, I was not well positioned as there was a bit of chaos in the finale and I found myself a bit boxed in and it was difficult to follow the wheel of my last man Andrea. I was too far in the back. I accelerated to retrieve position and I did my best to bring home the result but in the end was a second place. You always want a bit more of course, but this second place is ok anyway. I’m also happy that Dainese took the victory. He deserved it.” |
Milan firmly maintained the ciclamino jersey on his shoulders for the 16th day. He’s leading the points classification with 215 points and a gap of 94 points over the second, Derek Gee (IPT). Rome is 5 stages away, and it will also be the last opportunity for sprinters. In between, there will be the showdown for the GC with plenty of mountains to climb and a tough uphill time trial.
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| (All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @Sprintcycling @TeamBahrainVictorious) |
