Elia Viviani sprinted to fourth in Novi Ligure, which made its first appearance in nine years at the race.
On Wednesday, the Giro d’Italia arrived in Novi Ligure – the former possession of the Republic of Genoa – where it paid homage to Fausto Coppi, one of the greatest and most decorated riders of all time, whose incredible roll of achievements includes seven Grand Tour overall wins, nine Monuments, one World Champion title and the Hour Record.
For the bunch, it was another long and quiet day in the saddle, which became eventful only as they got closer to the last kilometer of stage 11. Up until that point, the race was controlled by several riders, including Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s Mikkel Honoré and Pieter Serry, who worked well together and putt down the watts, pulling back the three-man breakaway.
Eros Capecchi led the peloton on the flat finishing straight, before Fabio Sabatini came with Elia Viviani on his wheel near the front of the bunch, keeping the Italian Champion out of the wind, before the latter opened his sprint with 150 meters to go. A heated battle for victory concluded with Elia taking fourth in Novi Ligure, where the Italian Champion made his final appearance at this edition, as the race will now head into the mountains.
Photo credit: ©Justin Setterfield/ Getty Images
