Author: Henri Giroud

Highlights Report “This is one of the stages where we put a question mark,” said Sébastien Joly on Wednesday night, referring to stage 6 of the Giro d’Italia that would lead the riders from Castrovillari to Matera after 188 kilometers and a few climbs. There was therefore quite an uncertainty regarding the ambitions to carry towards the picturesque city of Basilicata. On Thursday morning, however, the plans were much clearer. “We had planned to stay calm until the last four kilometers, explained Sébastien. Firstly because we had already won, but also because the stage was still quite technical today, with quite a few climbs…

Highlights Report Filippo Ganna pulled off an incredible climbing performance to take a solo breakaway victory on stage five at the Giro d’Italia. The Italian forced his way into the move after 50 kilometres, and despite a mountainous course, produced an emphatic ride to power clear of his rivals and the chasing peloton. The world time trial champion backed up his opening day success, taking his second stage win by 34 seconds in Camigliatello Silano, moving into the blue mountain’s jersey in the process. After working alongside teammate Salvatore Puccio in the break, Ganna pushed clear on the final climb, cresting…

Highlights Report Arnaud Démare certainly tested his legs in Agrigento a few days ago, but his first real goal on the Giro was set for Tuesday, in a short 140-kilometer stage. The day kind of suited the sprinters, but not entirely as a long climb was to be tackled at the halfway point. In spite of this potential obstacle, the French champion’s team did took control of the peloton after a small breakaway went with Simon Pellaud (Androni-Sidermec), Kamil Gradek (CCC) and Marco Frapporti (Vini Zabù-KTM). Simon Guglielmi was in charge of keeping the leading trio within four minutes before…

Highlights Report It wasn’t just the drizzly weather that made it a day for ducks — Mount Etna proved the perfect launch pad for Jonathan Caicedo to take flight and pull off his first Grand Tour victory on stage three of the Giro d’Italia. Having to work hard early in the stage to jump across to make it into the break to join his fellow EF Pro Cycling compatriot, Lawson Craddock, it was a lumpy and winding stage right up until the 18-kilometer ascent to finish atop Mount Etna.  As the rain fell on the black lava covered slopes of…

Highlights Report Shrewd tactics, a great team effort and a perfect finish were the key ingredients that led to success for Diego Ulissi in the 2nd stage of the Giro d’Italia, on the 149 km from Alcamo to Agrigento. On the final slope towards Agrigento (3.7 km at 5.3%), UAE Team Emirates showed all its strength, with Valerio Conti picking up the pace at the head of a main group that was being heavily reduced. Conti held out until 700 meters from the finish, when Luca Wackermann (Vini Zabù-KTM) tried a counterattack, followed by Diego Ulissi and Mikkel Honorè (Deceuninck-Quick…

Highlights (Women) Highlights (Men) Report (Women) Lizzie Deignan attacked from her nine-rider breakaway on the infamous La Redoute climb, starting her 30km solo journey to victory in Liège. A thrilling chase ensued between former World Champion Deignan and Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott), who set off in pursuit on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Facons. Deignan held off her pursuer to bask in the glory of a solo victory of the Monument. Behind, van Dijk – who was also part of the escape group – played the finish to her strengths by jumping early and masterfully held off the sprinters to take bronze…

Highlights Report Filippo Ganna powered into the maglia rosa as the Italian won the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia. The new world time trial champion carried his form into his Grand Tour debut, taking victory by 22 seconds in Palermo. The fast 15.1-kilometre course provided a tough test for the riders, with Ganna completing the test in a rapid pace of 58.831km/h. His victory also ensured he moved into the white young rider jersey. It was also a fantastic start to the race for Geraint Thomas. The Welshman took the fourth fastest time on the day, 23 seconds back on his teammate,…

Highlights (Women) Highlights (Men) Report (Women) Anna van der Breggen has made history again by winning the Walloon Arrow for the sixth time. On the Wall of Huy she managed to finish the strong collective work of the Boels Dolmans team in a phenomenal way. Van der Breggen led the last climb of the Wall of Huy from start to finish. In the last hundred meters she managed to fend off the attacks of Demi Vollering and Cecilie Ludwig. Van der Breggen sets a unique record by winning the Walloon Arrow six times in a row. When asked if winning…