PIEVE DI SOLIGO, Italy (AP) — Texas-born sprinter Paul Magnier got his third victory of the Giro d’Italia in the 18th stage Thursday, and overall leader Jonas Vingegaard protected his pink jersey with three days left.
Magnier got an ideal lead into the sprint from his Soudal Quick-Step teammate Jasper Stuyven to finish two bike lengths ahead of Edoardo Zambanini, with another Italian rider Jonathan Milan in third.
“I did not expect it will happen today,” said Magnier, a 22-year-old Frenchman who was born in Laredo. “I was not confident in myself this morning, I even was dropped on the first climb. I cannot be more proud about this one.”
Vingegaard finished safely in the leading group to retain his overall lead 4 minutes, 3 seconds clear of Felix Gall. Third-place Thymen Arensman is 4:27 back.
Vingegaard led over the top of the steep Muro di Ca’ del Poggio climb with about 10 kilometers left of a 171-kilometer (106-mile) route from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo in the Dolomite mountains.
An attack by Johannes Kulset and Afonso Eulálio was caught just over 1,200 meters from the finish, setting up a sprint for the stage win.
Friday’s stage is a 151-kilometer (94-mile) trek in the high mountains from Feltre to Alleghe.
The Giro ends on Sunday in Rome. The women’s Giro is from May 30 to June 7.
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