Jonas Vingegaard claims historic Giro d’Italia stage win on Blockhaus
Jonas Vingegaard has completed his set of Grand Tour stage victories by producing a spectacular solo attack to win stage seven of the Giro d’Italia on the formidable Blockhaus climb.
Making his debut at the prestigious Italian race, the Dane launched a devastating acceleration with 5.5km remaining of the punishing 13.6km ascent.
Nobody could match the Visma-Lease a Bike rider as he broke the record time for ascending the mountain, clocking 38 minutes and 22 seconds.
He crossed the finish line 13 seconds clear of Austria’s Felix Gall, with Australian Jai Hindley taking third on the longest Grand Tour stage in five years.
General classification battle intensifies
This landmark victory means the 27-year-old has now claimed stage wins at the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro.
The impressive performance catapulted the two-time Tour de France champion into second place in the overall general classification.
He now sits three minutes and 17 seconds behind race leader Afonso Eulalio, with Gall a further 17 seconds adrift in third.
I’m definitely happy that I could take back some time.
The pre-race favourite is aiming to write his name in the history books by becoming only the eighth rider to win all three Grand Tours.
It’s a good day for me, a good day for us.
Gall emerges as major threat
While Vingegaard secured the stage honours, he was quick to acknowledge the impressive ride of the climbing specialist behind him.
For sure Felix Gall is a big rival to me.
I knew it already before the race, he’s a really strong guy that we really have to take into account.
Stage seven and general classification results
The brutal 244km test proved decisive for the overall contenders, shaking up the top five standings significantly.
- 1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 6hrs 9mins 15secs
- 2. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon) +13secs
- 3. Jai Hindley (Aus/Red Bull – BORA) +1min 2secs
- 4. Giulio Pellizzari (Ita/Red Bull – BORA) +1min 5secs
- 5. Ben O’Connor (Aus/Team Jayco AlUla) same time
Overall standings after stage seven:
- 1. Afonso Eulalio (Por/Bahrain-Victorious) 30hrs 59mins 23secs
- 2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +3min 17secs
- 3. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon) +3min 34secs
- 4. Jai Hindley (Aus/Red Bull – BORA) +4min 25secs
- 5. Giulio Pellizzari (Ita/Red Bull – BORA) +4min 28secs