Giro 2018 Stage 7: Sam Bennett powers to victory, Simon Yates still in pink

The 7th stage of the Giro d'Italia is played out on the flat. In the ensuing sprint in Praia a Mare Sam Bennet outguns Elia Viviani and Niccolo Bonifazio. Simon Yates finishes safely in the bunch to hold on to pink. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia

1. Sam Bennett (irl)
2. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
3. Niccolo Bonifazio (ita) s.t.
4. Sacha Modolo (ita) s.t.
5. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
6. Jakub Mareczko (ita) s.t.
7. Clement Venturini (fra) s.t.
8. Mads Pedersen (den) s.t.
9. Jurgen Roelandts (bel) s.t.
10. Jens Debusschere (bel) s.t.

GC after the 7th stage
1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.16
3. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.26
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 0.43
5. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.45
6. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 0.53
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 1.03
8. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.10
9. George Bennett (nzl) + 1.11
10. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.12

11. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 1.23
12. Ben O’Connor (aus) + 1.39
13. Michael Woods (can) s.t.
14. Sam Oomen (nld) + 1.42
17. Sergio Henao (col) + 1.47
22. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 2.12
26. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 4.34
30. Wout Poels (nld) + 4.44

Race report
Markel Irizar speeds up once the flag is dropped and Tony Martin, Davide Ballerini and Fausto Masnada jump to his wheel. QuickStep doesn’t like the idea of Martin on the loose and tracks them down. Then Ballerini and Irizar head out with Maxim Belkov. The trio races to a lead of more than 4 minutes before the peloton takes them on a leash.

With 16 kms left the breakaway is almost history when Ballerini once again speeds up. Tony Martin and five other jump across, but to no avail. An attack by Alex Dowsett is neutralized also.

Sam Bennett claims his maiden Grand Tour victory in the ensuing sprint ahead of Elia Viviani and Niccolo Bonifazio.

Tomorrow’s stage is for climbers and GC-guys. Following a 17.1 kilometres climb at 5% the finish is near the Santuario di Montevergine.