Paul Magnier kept the lead in the points classification.
Corsa Rosa finally arrived in Italy after three days on Bulgarian soil, for a 138km stage from Catanzaro to Cosenza. Home to the Cosentian Academy, one of the oldest academies of philosophical and literary studies in Italy and Europe, the town whose history dates back to pre-Roman times welcomed the Giro for the 11th time in history and for the first time since 1989.
The day features just one climb, Cozzo Tunno, but this 15km ascent was enough for the fast men to get dropped by the teams targeting a reduced bunch sprint at the end of stage four. Paul Magnier did his best to stay in the group as long as possible, but he too was distanced due to the big tempo pushed at the front of the peloton.
On Via Trieste, the uphill drag to the line where the stage concluded, Andrea Raccagni was the one who carried the flag for Soudal Quick-Step, and the 22-year-old Grand Tour debutant didn’t disappoint, finishing ninth, same time as Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates), who took the win. Paul Magnier arrived a couple of minutes later, part of a large group, and retained the ciclamino jersey, which he’ll wear on Wednesday for the fourth stage in a row.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
