The Belgian is in contention for a top ten result at Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
The only uphill finish of the race made some gaps between the favourites, but not too big, which means that the fight for the general classification remains open with three stages to go. Featuring four ascents of the Sogliano al Rubicone climb, which averaged 6.5% over just three kilometers, the day was a lively one, animated by numerous attacks.
One of these had in the spotlight Thomas Pesenti, who with the help of Pascal Eenkhoorn tried to get away, only for the peloton to react. Before the summit of the penultimate ascent, Mauri Vansevenant tried his luck, but the result was the same despite his best efforts. On the descent, a rider opened a gap on the bunch, only for them to reel him in with two kilometers to go. That was where the decisive attack came from Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla), who took the victory and the leader’s jersey.
The first Soudal Quick-Step rider at the finish was Mauri Vansevenant, who concluded just ten seconds behind the winner – a result that puts him in 15th place on the overall standings of Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
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