Giro 2020: Dowsett solos to victory, Almeida extends GC lead

Alex Dowsett won the 8th stage of the Giro from the breakaway. Salvatore Puccio bests Matthew Holmes and Joey Rosskopf in the sprint for second place. João Almeida stays in the pink jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 8th stage Giro d’Italia 2020

1. Alex Dowsett (gbr)
2. Salvatore Puccio (ita) + 1.15
3. Matthew Holmes (gbr) s.t.
4. Joey Rosskopf (usa) s.t.
5. Matthias Brändle (aut) + 2.10
6. Simone Ravanelli (ita) + 2.13
7. Michael Matthews (aus) + 13.56
8. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
9. Mikkel Bjerg (den) s.t.
10. Andrea Vendrame (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 8
1. João Almeida (por)
2. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.43
3. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.48
4. Harm Vanhoucke (bel) + 0.59
5. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 1.01
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 1.05
7. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.19
8. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.21
9. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 1.26
10. Rafal Majka (pol) + 1.32

Race report
Without Simon Yates, who tested positive on COVID-19, the peloton sets off from Giovanazzo. A group of six riders manages to break clear after half an hour of hard racing. Alex Dowsett, Salvatore Puccio, Matthew Holmes, Joey Rosskopf, Simone Ravanelli and Matthias Brändle open up a gap, which they widen to 11 minutes.

Puccio and Holmes strike on the steep Via Saragat in Vieste. Rosskopf rejoins the duo after the top before the others regain contact with 18 kilomtres remaining. Dowsett attacks straight away.

He reaches the crest of the Via Saragat for the second time with a lead of 30 seconds. Holmes, Puccio and Rosskopf are the first chasers.

The Briton extends his lead in the downhill and flat final kilometres to win the stage. Salvatore Puccio wins the sprint for second place.

Almeida finishes safely in the bunch to extend his lease of the maglia rosa.

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2020 Giro d’Italia.