André Greipel continued the fantastic Giro d’Italia for Germany and Lotto Soudal by making it three in a row for the Belgian team as he came out on top in the bunch sprint on stage 7. Seemingly boxed in, he found a gap in the hectic bunch sprint and then came around Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) and held off runner-up Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek) to take his second win of the race. Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) finished safely in the bunch and retained the lead.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

André Greipel: I thought that I would have to spend the stage in the gruppetto

Friday the thirteenth brought a lot of luck to Lotto Soudal as the Belgian cycling team obtained a third stage win in a row in the Giro d’Italia today. André Greipel was the fastest in the seventh stage. He won in a stunning way against Giacomo Nizzolo and Sacha Modolo. It’s the second victory for the Gorilla in this Grand Tour. Greipel is also the new leader in the points classification because of this win.

 

The speed was very high right from the beginning of the stage. Three riders managed to get away but after the first climb they were already caught by the first part of the peloton, which had been split in three groups. Tim Wellens obtained four points on the summit of that climb and therefore he’s the new leader in the KOM classification.

 

The break of the day was eventually formed, six riders stayed in front for a long time. In the meantime, the three groups in the peloton rejoined and the race eased up. Stefan Küng, the only escapee left, was caught at seven kilometres from the finish as the peloton prepared itself for a mass sprint. The whole team positioned Greipel very well at the front of the peloton and the German won the sprint in a very nice way. It’s the third consecutive victory for Lotto Soudal in this Giro, an incredible performance of the entire team.

 

"It was a hard day, a really hard day. There was a strong break upfront but my team did an amazing job again. They killed themselves to bring the race back together. The chase had to be a serious one. We hit the front early and but I was happy to find a gap, get through and win,” André Greipel said.

 

"We knew it was going to be a tricky finish with the corners and the crosswinds. The guys did an amazing job in the last 6km to ride all the time at the front. I had two guys going a bit too early maybe, but they were over the moon with their performances. I was looking for a wheel to follow, I thought it was going to be too late but luckily I found a way through. I still had good power left so I was looking for a gap and Modolo stayed on his line so I found the gap and launched my sprint.

 

"We had a good plan, even if we started the sprint too early, but with the turns in the end, it was the right decision. The guys did an incredible job to position me in the last six kilometers. We went a little early with Sean De Bie and Jurgen Roelandts, but I was still very happy to be able to sprint.

 

"It's a pretty cool experience. I was hungry for victory. In the last corner, I was boxed in towards the barriers but I was able to find a space to pass through. I think everyone has managed to hold his line.

 

“After several kilometres, I thought that we would ride with a Grupetto to the finish. The peloton split in three on the first climb and it seemed that the first group had gone clear. But the race eased up as the six escapees got away from that first peloton so the groups came back together.

 

“After that, Jelle Vanendert and Pim Ligthart did a great job to control the gap together with the riders of FDJ. There were a few very good riders present in the front group, including Küng. Then, it would depend on how we would survive the final climb. The pace was very high during the final kilometres before the summit, but we had to make sure that the gap wasn’t too big after that climb as the final 40 kilometres of the stage went slightly downhill. Tim Wellens made a great effort by closing the gap to the escapees.

 

“After that, Adam, Lars, Sean and Jürgen positioned me really well. It was a tricky finale which contained some dangerous roads; therefore it was extremely important to be at the front of the peloton. I really gave my all in the sprint and that resulted in another victory for the team.

 

”Before this we were already happy with the Giro so far and now we have three of the seven stages so it has been amazing. If we were playing football we'd say we've scored a hat trick with three consecutive stage wins. We're very happy.

 

“Three stage wins are more than we expected. We have already won three stages out of seven. It’s impressive for us. We are just trying to enjoy the moment.

 

”I always try to do my best. I have a good background for my team-mates to set me up before the sprints. Hard work is the key to success. I’m glad I’ve managed to remain competitive since I started winning at Grand Tours in 2008.

 

"Tomorrow, it will not be possible. The climb is too long and steep, other riders of our team will be able to do well.

 

“The rest of the race? I'm enjoying the moment, I take it day by day. So far, I have not participated in intermediate sprints. We'll see if the team managers decide otherwise.

 

“It’s the third stage win for the team and the second victory for me in this Giro. In my opinion, that’s a rather unique result. It’s true that not everything went according to plan during the first stages in the Netherlands, but we’ve showed that things can change quickly. It’s just fantastic to watch a team that does everything for each other, although most of the riders don’t race together that much. We must be very proud on the performances of the past few days.

 

“We also obtained the red points jersey and the blue KOM jersey, which is a nice surplus. Now we will try to maintain this level of racing, but first we are going to enjoy the victories. After that, we’ll see how the race evolves.”

 

“I think I’ve proved in the past that I’m able to compete well over this distance, but it’s a decision for others to make. I’ll just try to be in top condition and if it’s not me, I’ll be sad, but the national coach has to make the decision,” he concluded when asked about the Worlds.

 

Tim Wellens: A stage win is the goal, not the mountains jersey

“As three riders had gone before the climb, I thought there was nothing to do in the KOM competition today but [Damiano] Cunego’s team chased and I followed,” Tim Wellens said. “I just followed Cunego and passed him before the line. It was not really my plan to take points. I did a little bit of work and took enough points to take the Maglia Azzurra but this is less of a goal for me than a second stage win. It’s a bonus. I intend to break away again to repeat yesterday’s beautiful victory. I hope that my legs will be better tomorrow. They weren’t fantastic today…

 

 “Yesterday, I said that the mountains jersey wasn’t a goal beforehand and that’s still the case. I was only one point behind so I sprinted for the remaining points on that climb, as I knew that I could get that blue jersey. That wasn’t planned, but I only had to do one effort and then I would be able to wear that jersey for at least one day, so I thought that it was a good idea. I’d rather win a second stage then winning the KOM classification though. We’ll see what will happen during the next few days.

 

"The plan was to help Andre as much as possible. In the final I did a little bit of work for him, and I am very happy that he won.

 

"I will try to take the next stages as breakaways, which is my biggest chance for a second stage win. The mountain jersey is not really an objective for me. I will just try to go for a second win. The mountain jersey is just a bonus. If you are in the breakaways it comes automatically.”

 

Lotto Soudal: This is the best Giro team we have ever had

“I never won three consecutive stages as a sports director, certainly not in a Grand Tour,” Lotto Soudal sports director Bart Laysen said. “I already said before the start of this Giro that it’s probably the strongest Giro selection I have ever travelled with. The first days didn’t go according to plan, we couldn’t be satisfied with the results before our departure to Italy. Nevertheless, we didn’t doubt about the abilities of our riders. Furthermore, only three stages were covered and there were still eighteen stages to go.

 

“The past few days, every rider gave his all and then you see how things can change in the professional sport. We won three stages now, which gives an enormous boost to our confidence. I hope that our riders use this positive ‘flow’, we want to show ourselves during the following stages although that isn’t necessary anymore as we already won three stages.

 

“Another advantage is that all our riders will have an opportunity to do something in the next few stages, without exception. That’s something you can’t do in every Grand Tour.”

 

Giacomo Nizzolo: There wasn’t much to do against Greipel

It was another chance for the sprinters in stage seven at the Giro d'Italia and nothing could stop the powerful Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) from claiming his second victory. Giacomo Nizzolo – unable to break the curse of second place –  settled for runner-up again, but after a long, hard and rainy 211-kilometer race peppered with up and downs, Nizzolo knew he was cleanly beaten by a stronger rider on the day.

 

"I took the good wheel [Greipel's -ed] and at 300 meters I saw the Lotto train slowing down and GreenEdge coming from the left and then I thought it could be the move to flick Greipel," Nizzolo explained about the final meters. "So then I followed them, and it was actually almost working until 100 meters to go where Greipel passed me.

 

“I decided to stay on Greipel’s wheel in the finale and the team did a great job. When Lotto Soudal faded, I tried to go for it but with the speed Greipel has, there wasn’t much I could do about it. I’ve taken eight second places in Giro sprints but I think it’s important to remember that were up against two great sprinters here: Greipel and Kittel. It’s not easy to beat them or win a Giro stage.

 

"My team worked very well, they placed on the wheel of Greipel as I requested. I did my best, I tried to anticipate but to no avail. With 300 meters to go, Orica came and I produced my effort. I hoped Greipel would be boxed in but he saw an opening. Even though the Italian sprinters have not won yet we have to do what is best. There are still three possibilities for sprinters, I'll try again.”

 

 

Since 2014, Nizzolo has finished in second place in seven Giro d'Italia stages, yet despite the frustration of narrowly missing the victory so many times, his spirit remains unbroken. Nizzolo always points to his team first, layering praise on his hard-working teammates, and vows to keep fighting on after each defeat. Nizzolo is sporting some of his best form ever and the Giro is only in its first week – plenty of opportunities lie ahead.

 

Nizzolo said: "It was a hard day because of the rain and cold weather, especially in the climbs. In the end, I was feeling good, especially when compared to the first part of the stage. We did great teamwork. I want to say a huge thank you to my teammates who covered me in the finale as I asked. It was a tough day, and in the end, it just didn't pay off. But we are in a good way."

 

Tomorrow's stage eight could prove thorny for the overall contenders with a white-graveled (strade bianche) climb situated at the end of the race. 

 

Trek caught up with Ryder Hesjedal for his thoughts on today's stage and the tricky ending tomorrow:

 

"I felt fine today, but it was not the easiest stage. I got through it. I have seen the details of tomorrow's final climb and I don't mind the gravel, so we shall see. It's going to be tough; more or less like a mountain-top finish with the straight decent to the line. I expect another hard stage."

 

Sacha Modolo: Greipel passed me with twice my speed.

André Greipel passed Sacha Modolo with 30m to go after the Italian had tried to anticipate the German sprinter.

LAMPRE-MERIDA's rider, well supported by Mohoric and Ferrari in the final part of the stage, launched his sprint at 300 meters to go, reaching a very good speed which was enough to take third.
 

"My team-mates have helped me to do a good sprint,” explained Modolo. ”Mohorič took the turns in a great way. I used Ferrari to position me and he dropped me off in a good spot with 300m to go. Maybe I started a little too early, because Greipel fought back in the last few meters, but it must also be said that, compared to me, Andre has a higher power that favors him in these finishes.

 

”I'm pretty pleased with how I expressed myself. With some small changes I could maybe have done more. I need this as a stimulus to try again at the next opportunity.

 

"Today I cannot say anything bad about the team. Perhaps I made it too long of a sprint as I was on the outside in the final 200m but I was afraid of being boxed in. In hindsight maybe it was better to wait, but as I always say, you risk going nowhere. I was third and the strongest won so then it's okay.

 

“Greipel is strongest, there’s nothing to say about it. I went past him because I want to anticipate the sprint. I thought I’d got it but then he passed me at twice my speed. There’s nothing I could have done to beat him, I gave it everything.”

 

Another learning experience for Caleb Ewan after excellent lead-out

Caleb Ewan sprinted to fourth place on stage seven of the Giro d’Italia today after excellent work by ORICA-GreenEDGE teammate Luka Mezgec delivered the 21-year-old Australian right to the front of the bunch with only 100metres to go.

 

The multiple Tour Down Under stage winner had battled hard throughout the long and arduous stage and was unfortunate to lose out to stage winner Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) in the last twenty metres of the sprint.

 

Esteban Chaves sits in eleventh position just outside the top ten going into the eighth and ninth stages over the weekend with the real test of the high mountain stages to come next week.

 

Sport director Matt White was pleased with the continued development of Ewan over the course of the race.

 

“It was superb work from Luka (Mezgec) in the final,” said White. “He used all of his experience and speed to deliver Caleb (Ewan) into a good position on the home straight.

 

“Unfortunately Caleb just ran out of steam over the last few metres but everyday is more valuable experience for him and these situations will continue to help his development.”

 

“The finish was really fast and chaotic,” explained White. “There were many tight turns and the bunch split apart in numerous places. Esteban (Chaves) ended up losing a few seconds at the finish but we are still in a more than decent position going into the second week of the race.

 

“Tomorrow is more than likely going to be a day for the breakaway, there’s a tough climb at the end of the stage which will probably be too much for the sprinters.”

 

Enrico Battaglin gets personal chance on bad day for Moreno Hofland

Enrico Battaglin had his chance to sprint in today’s Giro d’Italia stage seven to Foligno and finished fifth. With Moreno Hofland not feeling well, Team LottoNL-Jumbo supported its Italian rider. André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), however, could not be stopped from seizing his second victory.

 

The stage began with a fight for the mountain classification points.

 

“The pace was high immediately, but we were expecting that, actually,” Sports Director Jan Boven said. “The peloton broke into six groups and Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk were in the first group. After fifty kilometres, everything was back together, already.”

 

Team LottoNL-Jumbo prepared for the bunch sprint, but with a changed hierarchy because Hofland said he was not feeling strong with 60 kilometres remaining.

 

“We decided to change tracks,” Boven continued. “Enrico Battaglin is able to deliver a good bunch sprint, as well. Jos van Emden reacted on that and brought him to a good position with 1.5 kilometres to go. Enrico had to finish it off by himself afterwards.”

 

“It was my first time competing in a bunch sprint in this Giro, but it went well,” Battaglin added. “I’m satisfied with the result, but it was a strange sprint with many turns. I think that it was in my advantage, that many of the sprinters had to do it by themselves because of that. I tried to get into the wheel of one of the top sprinters and finished fifth in the end. I’m happy with that result.”

 

Saturday’s stage is going to be an interesting one with the partly unpaved climb to the Alpe di Poti in the final part of the race.

 

“Steven and I went there at the end of January to recon this stage,” Boven said. “We know what we can expect. You have to be very focussed these days. The final 25 kilometres are tough and it’s going to be a beautiful stage to watch on television.”

 

Marcel Kittel: After all, today Friday 13th

After being distanced on the final climb of the day, Marcel Kittel didn't give up and began a frantic chase together with four teammates, in order to return to the peloton led by Cannondale, who was setting a scorching pace. A 30-second gap was scratched off on the descent and the former wearer of the maglia rosa returned to the bunch for the expected bunch finish in Foligno. Unfortunately, Kittel punctured with around 5 kilometers to go and had to change his bike, which meant it was game over for him at that point, as the bunch was riding at more than 55 km/h.

 

In Kittel's absence, Matteo Trentin was the Etixx – Quick-Step rider to take up the responsability in the closing meters, and the 26-year-old Italian made his way through the bunch on the tricky and technical finish, sprinting to sixth. In the same time as the winner came also Bob Jungels – fourth in the overall classification – who gets to wear the white jersey for at least one more day.

 

"The stage wasn't easy. We had a very difficult start, more than an hour at full gas and with some bad weather in between. Our plan was to wait and see what will happen on the last climb. We stayed together, worked as a team and really believed in the win, and all these things make up for the positive side of today", said Marcel Kittel in Foligno.

 

"We chased hard and just as the descent was coming to an end, we were already back in the peloton. The final was super fast and I was excellent positioned, with Fabio and Matteo on my side. Unfortunately, the puncture came and the race was over. It's a pity that we were so unlucky, but I still want to congratulate Andre for taking the victory. As I said earlier this week: this is cycling, with great and sometimes not so great moments. After all, today was Friday 13th", Kittel concluded with a smile on his face.

 

Bob Jungels eyes time trial at the Giro d’Italia

"I am pretty happy with the white jersey, to still have it,” Bob Jungels said. It’s been real racing here every day. Sprinter stages in the Giro aren’t really sprinter stages. They’re very hard for the sprinters. We were really unlucky because Marcel lost the wheel on the last climb and the team worked to bring him back but in the last kilometre he got a flat tire. It was a bit unlucky.

 

"Speaking for myself, it’s been really good so far and I hope to continue like this.

 

"Time trial has always been one of my favourite disciplines. I did the recon after Strade Bianche because we were so close, but before I completely focus on the time trial we have another hard one tomorrow with a sector of gravel roads at the end. We have a few guys with Trentin and Brambilla, so I think we have a good team for it. It’s long but not too hard. The most critical point will be the descent. Let’s hope the weather is OK." 

 

Strong Katusha sprinters both in the top 10 in the Giro d’Italia

Aleksandr Porsev and Alexey Tsatevich finished 7th and 8th, respectively, in the Giro d’Italia Stage 7 from Sulmona to Foligno. It was a long 211 km stage on a rolling parcours, quite hard, but not hard enough to beat the sprinters.

 

”The sprint was quite chaotic because of few corners inside the final kilometer. I found the wheel of Arnaud Démare, started to come in front, but then he suddenly stopped and I had to restart again, fighting for my position for the sprint. In the end I did all I could and took another Top-10 place. Of course I would like to change all these Top-10 places for a podium spot. I feel good and I hope in the next flat stages I will have more luck,” said Aleksandr Porsev.

 

The beginning of the stage was very fast and hard because of the second category climb right after few kilometers of racing. On this climb the peloton split in two parts. All GC contenders, including KATUSHA’s Ilnur Zakarin, were in the front group.

 

“On the first climb there were a lot of attacks and movements in the peloton, so it split in two groups. Ilnur Zakarin stayed safely in the front group, so we did not have any problem today. Anyway, when later the groups came back together, we had a normal stage for sprinters. In the end we have two riders in the Top-10 and it looks that once again we won the stage in team’s classification,” added sports director Dmitry Konyshev.

 

Team KATUSHA’s Ilnur Zakarin is still 3rd Overall, 28 seconds behind.

 

Youngest Italian on the attack in tough Giro d’Italia stage, Ruffoni left frustrated in sprint

The Seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia will be a day to remember for Giulio Ciccone, 21 years old and the youngest Italian at the race, as he was in the break.

 

“Attacking was my goal and team directors Stefano and Roberto gave me the freedom to do it. Since the first kilometers the stage was hard due to a KoM after 20 km. I did a strong effort to follow the best and, just after the descent, I started attacking. Only the tenth attempt was the right one and, together with five riders, we went clear. The gap was not too much, we knew our destiny, but it was good for me to know the feeling of a breakaway at the Giro.”

 

Ciccone won the intermediate sprint in L’Aquila, Abruzzo’s main city.

 

“This is my region, L’Aquila is a symbol for everyone, also for the earthquake that shocked the city. It was just a sentimental attack, but really important for me”.

 

After the breakaway was caught, Bardiani-CSF focused the efforts on the support of Nicola Ruffoni for a sprint finish. The Italian sprinter took 9th place.

 

“Honestly, I expected a different sprint. I had a puncture just before the final KoM, then I got back and tried to get to the first positions of the peloton thanks the support of Andreetta and Boem. At 1.5 km to go, I was too far from the first and, as usually happen in a crowded sprint, I had no space to pass. I took a top ten result, I’m ok, but I felt I could do better.”

 

Lack of team support costly for Elia Viviani in Giro d’Italia sprints

Elia Viviani sprinted to 10th place on the seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia as Andre Greipel sealed his second win in the space of three days.

 

Viviani was guided into contention as his team-mates kept Mikel Landa out of trouble on the fast approach to Foligno, and then freestyled his way into the mix as the race swept onto the closing straight.

 

Unfortunately though, Viviani was held up behind his rivals as Greipel launched his sprint and was unable to affect the outcome as the German outpaced Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida) for Lotto Soudal's third straight success.

 

The result had little bearing on the general classification so Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) maintained his 26-second lead over Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), with Landa still just 1min 8sec off the pace in 15th position.

 

Back at the team hotel, Sport Director Dario Cioni admitted the day hadn't quite gone to plan but was keen to stress the positives as the mountains draw ever closer.

 

He told TeamSky.com: "It's difficult for Elia on these sprint stages because we're not able to offer him a full lead out. 

 

"Today's sprint was a bit messy as well because there was no dominant train. Elia was going to try and follow Kittel's wheel but he got a late puncture which meant he obviously wasn't there to do that. Elia got a bit boxed in at the end and that meant he couldn't go 100%. 

 

"He's still going to fight for the red jersey though, and there's three or four more sprint stages to come.

 

"As for the stage as whole - it was another hard day and the start was particularly tough. The race was split after 20km but Mikel was well supported and never under any real pressure.

 

"It was a long one, and the rain made it nervous at times, but everyone rode well and Mikel even gained nine seconds on Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEdge) at the end, so that's a good thing for us." 

Dimension Data put Kittel under pressure at the Giro d’Italia

For Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka the stage was all about supporting Kristian Sbaragli during today's 211km stage.

 

The only point of concern for the pure sprinters was the category 4 climb that would summit with 40km to go. It was here that the African Team tried to play one of its cards by putting the team on the front in order to put some of the big name sprinters into difficulty, with Sbaragli not having a problem to get over such climbs. The plan almost worked as Kittel was distanced but the race came back together.

 

Sbaragli went into the last kilometer in a pretty good position, being 7th wheel. As the road veered to the right, Greipel pulled away to take a strong win. Sbaragli who was 6th with 50m to go, didn't have much space in front of him to move up while the riders who flanked him were able to just nudge ahead. The Italian ended the stage in 11th place, while you could throw a blanket over position 4 thru 16.

 

Kanstantsin Siutsou was able to gain a place on the general classification and moved up to 9th overall, when he placed himself on the right side of a small split that happened in the final kilometer.  

 

Kristian Sbaragli said:
 

“It was quite a long stage and we tried to make the final climb as hard as we could. It was bit too easy, the climb. Everybody was able to come back before the finish. I had quite a good position but it's possible that I was a little too far back in the final corner and the finish was right after the corner. I wasn't able to sprint for a top result, so I am a bit disappointed but we look forward to the next stages.”

 

Optimistic Tom Dumoulin looking forward to Strade Bianche stage

Tom Dumoulin was well protected throughout the 211km parcours from Sulmona and the Dutchman looked comfortable as his teammates controlled the pace in the windy conditions. Dumoulin finished safely in the peloton alongside his main GC rivals, which ensured he maintained his 26-second advantage over Jacob Fuglsang (Astana).

 

Tom Dumoulin said: “It was quite hard actually at the beginning of the race. Nippo – Vini Fantini missed the break again and they chased it down. After the first climb, there was only a small group left and it was very uncontrollable. There were a lot of attacks from guys close in the GC, but we did a really good job, especially Georg [Preidler] and Tobias [Ludvigsson]. Eventually, a good break went and everything came back together. After that, the race was quite controlled.

 

"We were hoping for the breakaway to go from the gun but Nippo - Vini Fantini wasn't happy with what happened because of the King of the Mountains competition. They chased on the climb and they made the race hard. A small group formed and eventually a breakaway went. It came back together, but what a hard day!

 

"Nippo did a strange move again to get Cunego in the break. I think next time I’ll just push him into the break because it’s really annoying.

 

“Concerning tomorrow’s stage and the gravel roads, I rode the Strade Bianche twice, which I really enjoyed and I was quite good at it. Actually, I am looking forward to it. We will see tomorrow.

 

“Tomorrow I don’t think the weather conditions will make a huge difference. We might look dirtier if it rains. We only climb on the gravel road, we don't descend, so I’m not worried.

 

“The time trial is a really important stage too. It’s one of my key points of the Giro for me. But it suits me and I hope to win it. It’s difficult to tell how much time I can gain on my rivals but I like the course, it’s up and down, but it means it also suits other riders like Nibali too.

 

“In terms of my preparation for the Giro is has been different from my teammates. It is actually about home time. I don’t want to be the cyclist being away from home the whole year. Like I will be going to altitude training camp after the Giro for Rio, I wasn’t planning on going before the Giro d’Italia. This decision was made with the idea that I would not be going for GC here, so it would not be necessary. Now my shape turns out to be pretty good and we will take it day by day.

 

“Maybe I’ll be riding the Giro for GC anyway. I’ll take it day by day and we’ll see. But home time is the reason why I didn't train in the mountains.

 

“I’m not scared of the last week in terms of the quality of my team. I wouldn’t have been in the Maglia Rosa so long if I didn’t have a good team around me. I’m sure that Georg Preidler and Tobias Ludvigsson will be up there to help me.”

 

“Of course I’m a little scared of third week, I didn’t go to altitude or train in the mountains for this Giro, I really surprised myself this week but I know the last week will be vey hard.”

 

Coach Marc Reef gave his thoughts after the stage: “It was a really hard uphill start and it was good that we’ve managed to get a good break going. We controlled the gap with the help of FDJ and Lotto Soudal. The last escapee of the break was caught back within the last 10km. We managed to keep Tom out of troubles and for the bunch sprint we put Nikias [Arndt] within the first 10. However, he got boxed in and there was no top 10 result.”

 

No luck for Leigh Howard in first sprint after Pelucchi’s withdrawal

“The team rode perfectly today,” Leigh Howard commented after what was André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) sixteenth grand tour stage win.  “Everyone was riding their absolute hardest in the final, but I just couldn’t manage to keep my place diving into the last corner in order to stay in the slipstream of the winner.”

 

The IAM Cycling climber Stefan Denifl. found an opening at the start of the undulating stage to enter a breakaway along with Stefan Küng (BMC), Axel Domont AG2R), Giulio Ciccone (Bardiani), Ilia Koshevoy (Lampre-Merida) and Daniel Martinez (Wilier Triestina-Southeast).  Each one of them was reeled in by the hard-chasing peloton with 26 kilometers to the finish, with the exception of Stefan Küng who held on for several kilometers after that, though the determination of the sprinting teams quashed any hope of success in the break.

 

“I tried my luck, but it was basically a mission impossible,” said Stefan Denifl after having visiting the doping control following his breakaway adventure that lasted over 110 kilometers.

 

Kjell Carlström, one of the directeurs sportifs for IAM Cycling at the race along with Mario Chiesa, complimented the efforts of his riders. 

 

“Stefan Denifl did well to choose the right breakaway.  This gave the rest of the team the chance to sit back and save their strength in the pack.  By the finish, everyone was able to do his share of the work.  Unfortunately, Leigh Howard didn’t have his best legs today.”

 

Having finished yesterday’s stage 25'53” after Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal), who won the sixth stage solo on Thursday, Matteo Pelucchi  fell outside the time delay of 25'14” allowed by the jury of commissioners.  Taking 39 seconds too many to finish the stage, the IAM Cycling rider was forced to return home before the start in Sulmona.

 

Suffering from extreme lower back pain that signals an irritation at the root of the nerve, Larry Warbasse rider also did not take the start this morning in Sulmona.  He will head to the University Hospital in Geneva (HUG) to receive the care he needs before he can consider returning to competition, a decision that will be made upon consultation between the medical staff and the sports management for the team.

 

Damiano Cunego: I will still keep an eye on the mountains jersey

"I had the chance to wear the jersey for three days. It was not easy, you have responsibilities and you have to make important decisions. Now a strong young boy took it and he deserves it. Now my goal is a stage win,” Damiano Cunego told Rai after having lost the mountains jersey.

 

"We must make our own room. Now I am behind in the standings. I will keep an eye on the KOM classification but without much stress."

 

Stefan Küng: I was going 60km/h

Stefan Küng dominated Stage 7 of the Giro d’Italia, showing his form with attack after attack throughout the 211km stage from Sulmona to Foligno.

 

Küng formed a three-rider breakaway early in the race and claimed the first categorized climb, before the peloton reeled them back in only 30 kilometers into the race.

 

After 60 kilometers of racing, Küng attacked solo and was eventually joined by five riders to form the breakaway of the day. The peloton kept the riders on a short leash with a maximum gap of three minutes for the whole day.

 

On the descent of the final climb, Küng attacked solo again and ended up producing a time trial-like effort for 30 kilometers, before being caught with just seven kilometers to go.

 

He said:

 

“When I went through the town with the last intermediate sprint and it was technical I thought that maybe I could stay away if the bunch went a little bit slower through this part. I was going 60km an hour but to go faster isn’t easy. And then behind all of the guys bury themselves and I’m on my own on these big roads. From the top of the climb when I attacked there were still 40 kilometers to go, so even if you are going 60km an hour, at the end of a long and hard day, it’s hard to stay away.”

 

“I was really disappointed with the opening time trial when I crashed because I really thought it was one of the stages that I could win, so it took me a couple of days to get over it. The breakaway today was a chance for redemption but I was disappointed when I heard that they were keeping us at two or three minutes. I almost considered stopping and going back to the bunch, but bike riders are hard men and we don’t like to give in.

 

“After my illness earlier in the year and only coming back to racing just over a month ago, it’s a good sign that my form is back where it needs to be. So I’m happy to see this.

 

"I thought today might be a good day for a breakaway. I tried and I immediately felt good but the problem was they would not let us go. I tried again at the end and I thought that with the tailwind, you never know. It was like a time trial, very long ... a little too long, but if you never try, you can never win.

 

"Tomorrow I'll go quietly and on Sunday I go full gas again in the TT. Of course, I like to ride aggressively and I will continue to do so. I am sure there will be another opportunity for me and I'll try again."

 

Max Sciandri, Sports Director, added:

 

“Stefan really went above and beyond today. It was a stage that was well suited to him and when he attacked in the first breakaway it looked good. But once again we had Nippo-Vini Fantini trying to control the KOM jersey so both breakaways that he was in were kept close to the peloton.

 

“For Stefan to keep attacking like that he really showed his form. After a bit of bad luck with crashes in the first week of racing I’m hoping that we can turn things around from here and do something in the next two weeks of racing.”

 

Cannondale explains strange tactic in flat Giro d’Italia stage

It was a sprint stage at the Giro d'Italia but that didn't mean Cannondale could sit back and rest. ‪#‎GreenArgyle was active on the front of the peloton in the stage seven finale, which ensured Rigoberto Uran was on the right side of any splits that formed. With a week's worth of stages in the books, he jumps up to tenth overall at 51 seconds.

 

Alberto Bettiol, who has been sharing the bulk of the team's workload with Ramunas Navardauskas on the flat stages explains:

 

"They told us to be in the front at the top of last kick because after the downhill was a little bit dangerous and after the small town of Spoleto there should be some tailwind and it should be even more dangerous.

 

"We decided to go full gas on the downhill. They said to us the peloton was a little bit split, Rigo was safe on the front, with me and Ramunas and Simon [Clarke] on the front. In the end, we safe again and Rigo can keep focused on the next goal."

 

Ag2r expect big GC battle on Giro d’Italia gravel roads

"The profile of the stage seemed much easier than it was,” Ag2r sports director Laurent Biondi said. “The wind also complicated matters. This created echelons relatively quickly. The race was nervous and difficult. Our goal was to have riders in the breakaways. Patrick Gretsch was in the first breakaway. He was then replaced by Axel Domont. Unfortunately he was caught not far from the finish. Before the sprint, the team worked very well for Domenico Pozzovivo. He gained seconds on some rivals.

 

“Tomorrow's stage has a special feature in the final. We will have a climb with 6.5km of dirt road. I hope the rain does not come. The climb is very well placed just before the finale. This should be a great battle between the GC riders."

 

Alejandro Valverde loses key domestique at the Giro d’Italia

Movistar Team will have to cover the remaining two weeks of racing in the 2016 Giro d'Italia with only eight riders after one of their key mountain domestiques, Javi Moreno, was forced to pull out after a crash on stage seven Friday. The Andalusian fell around 80km from Foligno's finish and was immediately assisted by the race's official medical service and the team's first team car, driven by sports director Chente García Acosta.

 

After Moreno was moved to the site of arrival by ambulance with a neck brace on, subsequent radiological checkups at the Giro's mobile clinic confirmed a displaced left collarbone fracture, while ruling out more serious injuries. Moreno went back to the team hotel with his Movistar team-mates and will travel back to Spain in the upcoming hours. More details on his collarbone surgery will be confirmed after he gets back home.

 

Moreno is leaving a 'Corsa Rosa' where he had already performed prominently yesterday during the final ascent of Roccaraso on stage six. His seven team-mates will give their best to keep Alejandro Valverde at the front, the man from Murcia going through today's racing with no troubles - Greipel (LTS) prevailed in the day's sprint - and looking forward to improving his 6th spot overall in Saturday's Alpe di Poti (Cat-2) climb en route to Arezzo (186km).

 

Astana: Tomorrow we will try to gain time on our rivals

"It was a tougher stage than expected,” said Astana’s Davide Malacarne. “After yesterday’s great effort uphill I was hoping for a slower pace, instead we went full gas.

 

"Tomorrow we will work to help both Vincenzo Nibali and Jakob Fuglsang. In the final, there is a piece of dirt road where it will be necessary in addition to physical strength to also have riding skills, not to mention the descent to the finish line.”

 

"The team is in good health,” said sporting director Alexandr Shefer, “and it is proved by the top spot in the team standings. Tomorrow we will try to gain a few seconds ahead of Sunday's time trial.”

 

In the overall standings, Nibali has regained a position and is now eighth at 47 seconds from Dutch leader Tom Dumoulin.

 

Rafal Majka ready for big test on gravel roads at the Giro d’Italia

While the stage was marked as one that would likely finish as a bunch sprint, this didn’t stop an early breakaway going for glory. Jay McCarthy joined an early attack with two others, but the pace in the peloton was already very fast, with riders dropping off the back even at this early stage of the race. Despite building a lead of up to a minute, McCarthy and his group were soon reeled back in before the top of the Svolte di Popoli climb.

 

From the finish, Sport Director, Tristan Hoffman, gave an insight into how the stage unfolded.

 

“From the gun after 11km we had a second category climb and Jay was there in a small break, but behind the bunch went full gas, which caught them and also split the peloton. The front group was down to about 50 riders but Rafal was here with three or four teammates so we were in a good situation. It was also good to see Jay try to take his chances.”

The front split wasn't in a mood to hang around as it continued to press on at the front of the race before eventually another break went clear – this time a group of six. This was to be the day’s breakaway, building an advantage of 2’30” after 90km of racing. The gap remained slim as the run in to the fourth category Valico della Somma gave the sprinters a chance to rejoin the peloton, having been left behind on the earlier climb. Hoffman was pleased with how the team worked together to regroup and stay together when the peloton began to split.

 

“After the descent a break went and everything came back together, but it was good to see the boys stayed together and when it split we had numbers there.”

 

While the aim wasn’t to contest the sprint, Tinkoff jerseys were there at the front, ensuring Rafal Majka was delivered to the finish safely. The Tinkoff leader was the first home in 30th position, along with Pawel Poljanski and Ivan Rovny, in 31st and 38th respectively, with the same time as the bunch.

 

Hoffman was happy with the day’s outcome after a fast-paced end to the stage.

 

“The final climb was quite steady and not a lot happened there - the pace was high but it didn't cause any problems and after that the roads were wide on the run to the finish. They stayed at the front and out of trouble then towards the final they spent some energy to keep Rafal at the front. All in all I'm happy with how the stage went.”

 

The team’s leader, Rafal Majka, was pleased too with how the race panned out.

 

“It was a long and tough stage where we had to be focused at all times. Still, the squad did a great job in bringing me safely in the main group. It was important to stay safe and avoid losing time to the main GC contenders. I'd like to thank them for their efforts not only today but throughout the first seven stages of the Giro. I feel in good shape but we still have a long way until the finish in Turin.”

 

Tomorrow sees the Giro take on another flat stage for the majority before a sting in the tail. While the riders will have a fairly easy start to the 186km route, the second category Alpe di Poti has the potential to tear the stage apart, falling 20km from the finish and with a fast run in afterwards, while the gravel sector will create a challenge for riders in staying upright. A sharp 11% climb in the last kilometre may still catch riders out, creating an opportunity for a shake-up of the GC standings. As Hoffman explained from the finish, the stage is not without its challenges.

 

“We've got a serious climb in the finale with some gravel roads. We will see if we try to put somebody in the break tomorrow - I believe it will be another GC test tomorrow. The gravel roads will be very tough if the weather isn't good but I believe Rafal is more than ready as is the rest of the team.”