For the third time this Giro d’Italia, Chad Haga made it into the early break that survived until the end as he finished 9th, 2’42” behind stage winner Philippe Gilbert. With stage 18 the Giro d’Italia returns to Italy after a small trip to Switzerland.

The stage of 170km went from Melide to Verbania with flat roads along the first 125km, as the riders faced one 1st category climb in the final 50km.

14 riders made the day’s break including Haga. At the one and only climb of the day, the Monte Ologno, the front group split up in different smaller groups as Haga couldn’t handle the pace in the front. At the technical descent of the Monte Ologno, 8 riders came together and Philippe Gilbert (Bmc Racing Team) took advantage of this occasion to attack. After a solo of 20km he took his second stage win of this Giro.

Behind Gilbert it was Haga chasing on his own to finish 9th. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff – Saxo) increased his lead in the General Classification by taking another 1’13” on his competitors today.

Haga reflected on his day in the break: “It was an easy day to the base of the climb, as Tinkoff – Saxo let us go. I rode my pace up the climb as the attacks started, and had a good descent. I wish my legs had been better, but I made the most of them today.”

Coach Addy Engels added: “It was a good day. Our aim was to be in the break and we did. Chad was unable to follow the others on the climb and did a good job in maintaining his rhythm, as he rode to a strong 9th place. We got the maximum out of today so we are satisfied.”