Giro d’Italia 2019: Stage 19 – The Fierce Joy of Esteban Chaves

With Stage 19 kicking off the final weekend of the 2019 Giro d’Italia and a mountain top finish on tap, one could have expected to see fireworks from the overall contenders. After all, time is ticking down for Vincenzo Nibali and Primoz Roglic to pull back time on an on-form Richard Carapaz and formidable Movistar team. Much like the previous 18  stages, however, the GC contenders and their teams appeared to have little interest in contesting the stage win, preferring to allow a non-threatening breakaway to take the day …

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Giro d’Italia 2019: Stage 17 – Peters powers to victory, Carapaz increases lead

Would today’s Stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia, which had a sting in its tail, prove as exciting as yesterday’s? Absolutely! Nans Peters (Ag2r La Mondiale) seized his chance, attacking out of the 18-strong break with 16km to go, building a respectable advantage which saw him solo across the line in the Antholz Biathlon stadium arms aloft, to savour his first ever professional victory. Breakmates Esteban Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) finished second, with David Formolo (BORA-hansgrohe) third. But there was more excitement 3km back down the course as Mikel Landa (Movistar) attacked from the GC group, followed by Hugh Carthy (EF-Education First). Then race leader Richard Carapaz (Movistar) followed the wheel of Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) leaving Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) flailing in their wake. Birthday boy Carapaz is now 1:54 ahead of his nearest rival.

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