05/10/26 10:23:00
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05/10 10:22 CDT Magnier wins another nail-biting sprint at the Giro d'Italia as
Silva stays in pink
Magnier wins another nail-biting sprint at the Giro d'Italia as Silva stays in
pink
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) --- Paul Magnier won a bunch sprint to make it two wins
out of three at this year's Giro d'Italia, while Uruguayan cyclist Guillermo
Silva remained in the overall lead on Sunday as the race prepares to return to
Italy.
Magnier edged out Jonathan Milan by half a wheel, with Dyland Groenewegen
millimeters behind in third. So close was the finish that Magnier initially
raised his hand in celebration then immediately put it down and seemed
uncertain as to whether he had actually won.
The French cyclist also claimed victory in Friday's opening stage.
"I dreamed about it and it was the goal to go for the stage again and the team
did an amazing job again," said Magnier, who rides for Soudal Quick-Step. "And
then I was not really sure to win the stage, to be honest. I celebrate and then
I say ?oh, I'm not sure' but in the end I won, so I'm really happy.
"Now I have to say that I feel really good and I can be with the best sprinters
in the world, so I will try to enjoy this moment and keep going like this with
the team."
Sunday's third stage was a 175-kilometer route from Plovdiv --- one of the
oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe --- to the Bulgarian capital of
Sofia.
Diego Pablo Sevilla, Alessandro Tonelli and Manuele Tarozzi attacked from the
start and it appeared as if the three-man breakaway was going to contest the
finish, but they were mopped up with the line in sight.
It was the third and final stage in Bulgaria before Monday's rest day as the
Giro moves to Italy. Tuesday's fourth stage is a 138-kilometer route from
Catanzaro, in the foot of Italy, to Cosenza.
Silva, who on Saturday became the first Uruguayan to win a Giro stage and lead
the race, will wear the maglia rosa.
The 24-year-old Silva, who rides for XDS Astana, is four seconds ahead of
German rider Florian Stork and Italian climbing specialist Giulio Ciccone.
"The team is extremely supportive and wanted me to keep this jersey going into
the rest day. So we're going to enjoy it," Silva said.
"Today was just unbelievable. Every moment, people were looking at me and I
still can't quite believe it. We'll try to hold onto it (the leader's jersey)
for as long as possible and it's very nice to carry it to Italy."
The 109th men's Giro ends on May 31 in Rome.
The women's Giro runs from May 30-June 7 with Italian rider Elisa Longo
Borghini as the defending champion.
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AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling
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