Tim Merlier held his speed and his nerve in a chaotic sprint to give Giro debutantes Alpecin-Fenix their first podium, and claim his first GT victory and the GORGEOUS maglia ciclamino. The ‘fastest man in Belgium’ screamed to the front with 250m to go, holding off Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka ASSOS) and Cofidis’ Elia Viviani who had to settle for second and third respectively. Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) retains the pink jersey, so the only other change in GC is the rise of Remco Evenepoel as he grabbed two seconds to put him on the same time as Deceuninck QuickStep teammate Joao Almeida. Looks like Patrick Lefevre’s comment of leaving this tussle to be settled on the road is coming true.
