Giro d’Italia 2016: Stage 11 – Ulissi makes it six

A huge crash with 30 kilometres to go set up an all-guns-blazing fight out on the rolling roads into Asolo. Movistar’s Andrey Amador launched off the front with 10 kilomteres to go taking race leader Bob Jungels (Etixx-Quick Step) with him. Two kilometres from the finish Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) bridged to the dynamic duo, and used all his guile to take his second win of this Giro and the sixth of his career. The maglia rosa stays firmly on the shoulders of Young Bobby J.

Rider of the Race

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Hand’s up who thought we’d see Etixx-Quick Step’s Bob Jungels wearing pink on week two of the Giro? It has to be said the Luxembourg champion has hardly put a pedal stroke wrong in eleven stages. He’s kept with the GC contenders on the climbs tackled so far and of course he’s delivered on his strong time trialling ability. But what has impressed us most is his tactical racing brain – honed to rapier sharpness with the leader’s jersey on his back. When Amador attacked today Bob was right on his wheel, and although he may have been surprised that the Costa Rican worked with him, he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. After Ulissi bridged he put a huge effort to keep the trio away and gain those all important seconds.

When Ulissi jumped across, and in the end I thought I would go for the stage win, which would be hard in a sprint or I just keep pulling to gain time on the others. I lost two seconds on Amador but I gained a few on the others, which isn’t too bad.

Not too bad at all. He’s over a minute to the good on both Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) with the high mountains to come. It may not be enough, but who knows what Jungle Bob is capable of these days? Whatever happens, riding with heart and head is something we will always celebrate at VeloVoices Towers.

And it’s goodbye from Tom

"I'm very disappointed to have to pull out of the #Giro, which started so fantastic." https://t.co/CBwj8dLDLT pic.twitter.com/aNTmoG7rn4

— Team Giant-Alpecin (@GiantAlpecin) May 18, 2016

Saddle sores finally got the better of the Tom Dumoulin today and the Giant Alpecin team leader climbed off the bike mid stage.

I would like to thank all the fans and the team who have supported me. It is a shame that external factors forced me to abandon this great race and not being able to chase further success.

We’ll miss him – get well soon Tom.