Max Schachmann finishes not far from the top ten on the general classification.
Our Italian week concluded in Gemona del Friuli, a small town lying not far from Udine, and Martin Svrcek carried the flag for Soudal Quick-Step on this demanding final stage. The menu included two ascents of Monte Stella, a hard climb that the second time came with just 25 kilometers to go.
Top ten on stage two, Martin Svrcek was among the first riders to attack and joined what soon became the breakaway of the day, one that went on to build a five-minute gap over the peloton. It took a considerable effort from the bunch to reel them in, and the catch happened only at the bottom of the final ascent.
One kilometer from the top, the big attacks came and three riders put some daylight into them and the rest; the trio worked well together and arrived with a handful of seconds over the peloton at the finish, where Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla) took the victory. The same Maximilain Schachmann was the best Soudal Quick-Step rider on the stage, but also in the overall standings, where he finished 15th, just eight seconds from the top ten.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri
