Giro 2020: Hindley wins Queen Stage, Kelderman new leader

The 18th stage detonates the fireworks at the Giro. Good weather, the iconic Stelvio, and a GC that bursts out into blossom. Jai Hindley outsprints Tao Ghegegan Hart on the line, while Wilco Kelderman moves into the maglia rosa. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 18th stage Giro d’Italia 2020

1. Jai Hindley (aus)
2. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) s.t.
3. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.46
4. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.25
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 2.18
6. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 4.04
7. João Almeida (por) + 4.51
8. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
9. Hermann Pernsteiner (aut) s.t.
10. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 4.55

GC after stage 18
1. Wilco Kelderman (nld)
2. Jai Hindley (aus) + 0.12
3. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 0.15
4. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 1.19
5. João Almeida (por) + 2.16
6. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 3.59
7. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 5.40
8. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 5.47
9. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 6.46
10. Hermann Pernsteiner (aut) + 7.23

Race report
The first attacks have been neutralised before Ruben Guerreiro, Einer Rubio, Ben O’Connor, Joe Dombrowski and Mattew Holmes give it a go halfway up the first climb. A group of fourteen riders rejoin them to reach the summit 30 seconds ahead of the GC group – Guerreiro cements the KOM lead -, who rejoin them in the descent. Which makes a lead group of 45 riders.

Felline, Rossetto, Navarro, De Gendt, Cataldo and Ganna join forces in the valley, while Tonelli, Carretero, O’Connor and Swift chase them down. Holmes, Meintjes, Dombrowski, Pedrero and Guerreiro also make it across on the early slopes of Passo Castrin. De Gendt is the first rider over the summit with Guerreiro in second.

While the maximum lead of the breakaway was almost 4 minutes, the gap falls to 1.30 minutes on the Stelvio, which inspires O’Connor to go solo.

Pozzovivo is the first GC rider to drop back in the climb, while maglia rosa Almeida breaks with 10 kilometres to climb. Majka, Fuglsang and Nibali can’t follow either.

Dennis sets the pace in a group with only Geoghegan Hart, Hindley and Kelderman remaining. The Dutchman loses contact, while the other three rejoin O’Connor.

Dennis, Geoghegan Hart and Hindley push on together and the trio crests the summit 50 seconds ahead of Kelderman. Bilbao and Fuglsang are the first chasers at 1.40 minutes. Maglia rosa Almeida reaches the summit with a deficit of 3.40 minutes.

Geoghegan Hart pockets a time bonus in an intermediate sprint just before the finish climb, Hindley takes 1. Dennis stops his efforts when they enter the ascent, while Fuglsang and Bilbao overhaul Kelderman on the early slopes.

Bilbao leaves Fuglsang behind on the climb, but he is not able to close the gap to the two leaders.

While Hindley outsprints Geoghegan Hart for the stage win, Kelderman struggles to move into the pink jersey. He is the new GC leader, but his team mate Hindley (13 seconds) and Geoghegan Hart (15 seconds) are breathing down his neck.

Another interesting read: route Queen Stage 2020 Giro d’Italia.