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Giro d'Italia Stage 13: Fernando Gaviria makes it four wins

22-year-old Colombian has best Grand Tour debut since Bernard Hinault almost 40 years ago

Quick Step Floors rider Fernando Gaviria came from a long way back in Tortona this afternoon to take his fourth stage of the 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia - and according to Velon, hit 72.8 kilometres an hour as he sprinted for the line.

It continues a remarkable Grand Tour debut by the 22-year-old Colombian - the best, in fact, since Bernard Hinault won five stages at the Vuelta in 1978.

Sam Bennett of Bora Hansgrohe was second today - his best result after three third places - with Jasper Stuyven of Trek Segafredo third.

It was a frantic, wind-blown finale to the flat 167 kilometre stage from Reggio Emilia which concluded with a hard-fought sprint.

Gaviria lost position on the final bend with 300 metres to go, and Orica-Scott's Caleb Ewan looked well positioned to challenge for what would have been his second stage victory in the race.

But Quick Step Floors rider Max Richeze, spotting Gaviria coming up the outside, nudged Ewan out of the way, destroying the Australian's rhythm and nearly crashing himself, while opening up a gap for Gaviria to charge for the line.

It's only the second time that Tortona has hosted a Giro d'Italia stage finish, and as this year, it honoured the great Fausto Coppi, who lived most of his life in the city.

The race now heads into the mountains, with tomorrow's Stage 14 to Oropa honouring Marco Pantani, with Tom Dumoulin of Team Sunweb looking to defend the maglia rosa he took from Movistar's Nairo Quintana in last Tuesday's individual time trial.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

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JimD666 | 6 years ago
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Didn't think he was riding the Tour? Has it changed or are people just assuming? Admittedly it would be a brave team to leave him out...

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Jackson replied to JimD666 | 6 years ago
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JimD666 wrote:

Didn't think he was riding the Tour? Has it changed or are people just assuming? Admittedly it would be a brave team to leave him out...

Procyclingstats say both him and Kittel are. Not sure how that's going to work, guessing they'll give him a crack on anything Kittel can't get over. 

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CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
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Looking at the sprint in slow mo, Gaviria came from way back wasnt even in the wheel of anyone. took a gap and blasted by everyone.  I reckon he will easily beat Kittel, he has incredible acceleration.  Kittel is a monster and can hold a sprint, he is vulnerable to the last second acceleration, Cavendish did this to him in last years TDF.  Gaviria has this same punch but being younger, has even more kick.

Cant wait for the TDF sprints now.

Avatar
Jackson | 6 years ago
1 like

I feel for Bennett but Gaviria is looking incredible. We'll see if he goes to the Tour against Kittel but he's looking like the next Cav (at a year younger too).

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Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
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I must admit to watching stages like this on fast forward most of the time. The only time I back it off is if the scenery looks worth gawping at. Some days you just know nothing is going to happen as all the GC players are saving themselves for another day. 

It can't all be hills though, not for a grand tour. This said I did enjoy the Vuelta the most last year as it did seemed geared towards lots of nasty gradients. 

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captain_slog | 6 years ago
1 like

I've replayed this a few times and still can't quite believe he did it. Sam Bennett seemed to have a text-book lead-out.

Richeze ended up leading out Ewan but then in an amazing piece of riding managed to hold his line and keep the right channel open for Gaviria to hurtle through.

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CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
2 likes

Giviria with his lead out team make a formidable team. He is the new king of sprinting at the moment.

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Valbrona | 6 years ago
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No-one cares who wins sprint stages.

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Sniffer replied to Valbrona | 6 years ago
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Valbrona wrote:

No-one cares who wins sprint stages.

but, you took the effort to open the story and comment.  

Anyway I care, and probably the 100s playing fantasy cycling on this site.  You should try it, might fight something interesting in each stage.

Mind you, this would have been a pretty boring stage to watch today.

 

 

 

 

 

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