Watch all the action from the 2024 Giro d'Italia live and free on SBS VICELAND from May 4-26, with all the replays and highlights on , plus news, analysis and much more on the SBS Sport website.
Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal–Quick-Step) completed a redemptive victory on Thursday's stage of the Giro d'Italia in Fano, after executing a masterclass solo move with 12km remaining on the stage.
The veteran got into a two-man move with 130km to go, as he and breakaway companion Mirco Maestri (Polti-Kometa) outlasted all chasers and rode over five minutes clear of the peloton.
Alaphilippe went solo with an attack on the final climb, as he impressively maintained a 40-second gap back to the chasers as he navigated the technical corners of the final few kilometres.
After 11 stages of trying, he silenced his doubters, including team boss Patrick Lefevere from whom he was publicly criticised, having now won a stage at every Grand Tour.
“No, no, no, I didn’t plan it [the attack]. I was expecting a big group to be in the breakaway, and I think first I have to thank my teammates who really controlled perfectly the first 60k, and after, I was really focused to be in the front,” said Alaphilippe in the post-race presser.
“We went first in the big group and then with Mirco Maestri together I said ‘We go’. He really deserved also to win today, he was amazing and we collaborated super well.
“I believe in it [the win], but until the last kilometre, I had to keep pushing full gas because I heard Narváez was close behind me.
“It was my dream to win a stage at the Giro and I did it, I’m really happy. I think of my wife and my son, they’ve supported me since forever.”
Meanwhile, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) kept hold of the maglia rosa as he stayed safe in the peloton on a calm day alongside Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), with no attacks being launched on the final climb.
