Alaphilippe attacked on stage 6 of the Giro, but Sánchez took the win. Overall standings unchanged

Stage 6 saw a man who knows what it’s like to lead the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. However, Julian Alaphilippe didn’t get the stage win, he was beaten by Movistar’s Pelayo Sánchez at the finish line.

Once again a successful breakaway was seen

In today’s 180km stage, which was reminiscent of Strade – Bianche and did not have any challenging climbs in its profile, a successful breakaway was once again celebrated. Spanish Movistar rider Pelayo Sánchez enjoyed the biggest win of his career so far, outsprinting the veteran Frenchman Jualin Alaphilippe in a three-rider breakaway at the finish.

Race leader Tadej Pogarčar, together with Gerraint Thomas, finished comfortably in the top ten, 29 seconds behind the winner. The Slovenian cyclist thus retained the Maglio Rosa, the pink jersey for the race leader.

Today’s stage was all about breakaways. The final one came with about 80km to go, with 7 riders initially working together. They managed to build up a three-minute lead. Another 40km later, the final trio of today’s heroes emerged, who battled it out at the finish for the stage triumph.

These were Luke Plapp, Pelayo Sánchez and Julian Alaphilippe. Alaphilippe was the most experienced rider of the trio. He managed to win 6 stages in the Tour de France and rode countless days in the yellow jersey for the race leader. He also won a stage at the Spanish Vuelta and just missed out on a stage triumph at the Giro.

The trio made it to the finish, and as none of the climbs were successful, the riders had to fight it out in the finish, where it was the Spanish rider Sánchez who rejoiced. Jan Hirt otherwise continues to hold 8th place in the overall classification.

Tomorrow, however, there is a stage on the agenda that will definitely shake up the overall standings. It is a time trial from Foligno to Perugia, which is over 40 km long and has a steep climb in the last 7 km. Here we can expect another great performance from Pogacar.

Giro d’Italia – Stage 6 (Torre del Lago Puccini – Rapolano Terme, 180 km)

1. Pelayo Sánchez (Sp./Movistar) 4:01:08, 2nd Julian Alaphilippe (Fr./Soudal Quick-Step), 3rd Luke Plapp (Aus./Team Jayco AlUla) … 31st Jan Hirt, 158th. Josef Cerny

Overall standings

1. Tadej Pogačar 23:20:52
2. Gerraint Thomas -46
3. Daniel Felippe Martínez -47
4. Cian Uijtdebroeks -55
8. Hirt -1:13
162. Cerny -1:08:02

Source: CyclingNews, Giro d’Italia