Today’s afternoon of racing at the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia could be split in two distinct parts; a flatter opening 100 kilometres before a hillier final 30 kilometres of action. It was a fast start to the stage as the riders left the town of Riccione, with multiple attacks at the head of the peloton. The team did a good job to control things and cover any dangeorus moves before a four rider group got clear and built up their lead over the peloton.

Unlike yesterday’s stage, the bunch didn’t allow their advantage to grow out too far and heading into the hilly finale the race was all back together. Development Team DSM came to the fore, alongside Colpack, to set a strong tempo over the climbs to try and split the bunch and keep Henri Vandenabeele safe. Between the two main climbs on the valley road a group of 12 riders, featuring Vandenabeele and Leon Heinschke, got a small gap over the peloton but as the road headed upwards again they were caught.

On the steep final ramps of the last climb, the eventual stage winner made their move with a small group going clear. Vandenabeele crossed the line safely within the peloton, around ten seconds back on the winner. Tomorrow sees another tricky day in the saddle with a lot of climbing in the middle part of the stage before a flatter run to the line.

“The team did an amazing job leading over the first climbs of the day and setting the pace,” explained Vandenabeele at the finish. “Then the race completely exploded on the last climb where Juan Ayuso jumped away and was really strong to take the win. I managed to finish in the first group around ten seconds behind Ayuso, with the other GC riders.”

Team DSM coach Bennie Lambregts added: “The cooperation of the team was really good today. We had a plan that we wanted a small break so that the leader’s team would take control, and we managed to make sure exactly that happened. Just before the hilly part, we took the lead with Colpack to try and split up the peloton so that Henri stayed out of trouble. Leon, Marius, Hannes and Gianmarco did a really good job there to do just that. In the end, Henri was in the first chasing group which finished only a few seconds behind the winner which was good. It was a good day for us and I think we can develop further and grow into the race as it progresses.”