Giro 2018 Stage 11: Simon Yates wins thriller finale, Tom Dumoulin second

The 11th stage of the Giro moves through Filottrano to pay tribute to Michele Scarponi before the race continues to a twisting and punchy finale in the old town of Osimo. Simon Yates strikes with 1.4 kilometres to go and holds off the chasing Tom Dumoulin to cement his overall lead. Davide Formolo finishes in third, while Chris Froome loses 40 seconds. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 11th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia

1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.02
3. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.05
4. Alexandre Geniez (fra) + 0.08
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
6. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
7. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.
8. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) + 0.11
9. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 0.18
10. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.21

11. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 0.23
12. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
15. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 0.30
17. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
20. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.36
21. Ben O’Connor (aus) s.t.
23. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.40
26. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
40. Michael Woods (can) + 1.05

GC after the 11th stage
1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.47
3. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 1.04
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 1.18
5. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 1.56
6. George Bennett (nzl) + 2.09
7. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 2.36
8. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 2.54
9. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 2.55
10. Fabio Aru (ita) + 3.10

11. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 3.17
12. Chris Froome (gbr) + 3.20
13. Ben O’Connor (aus) + 3.25
14. Carlos Betancur (col) + 3.29
15. Sam Oomen (nld) + 3.40
16. Michael Woods (can) + 3.43

Race report
Attacks galore, but it takes over 30 kms for the break to take shape. Just before the Passo del Cornello Di Marchi and LL Sánchez take off, while Masnada bridges across. The trio reaches the crest 4 minutes ahead of the main group. Maestri and Turrin track them down after the descent.

On the Muro di Filottrano the gap drops below 2 minutes. Maestri and Turrin lose contact.

When the leading trio hits the first steep climb in Osimo they are caught. Shortly Stybar attacks with Wellens on his wheel.

Wellens heads out alone on the Via Olimpia, but the GC-riders catch him with 1.5 kms to go. Almost without delay Yates accelerates. Dumoulin goes after him and the race comes down to an incredible battle between the title defender and the man in pink. Every time Dumoulin is starting to close Yates responds. They enter the old town via a gate and the road kicks up one last time, but the maglia rosa holds off the strong chaser. Dumoulin has to settle for second place and finishes 2 seconds back. So Yates cements his lead with 6 seconds, time bonus included.

Chris Froome finishes 40 seconds down on the race winner and can now stow his GC-ambitions on the Giro for future use.