Alberto Dainese scores photo finish victory at Giro d’Italia

Alberto Dainese of DSM prevailed in a terrific three way bid for the bunch sprint win on Wednesday’s 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia. Dianese pipped points jersey holder Jonathan Milan and Michael Matthews for the third Italian victory of the 106th edition. Geraint Thomas stayed safe in pink. Derek Gee finished in the pack in 87th.

WHAT.
A.
SPRINT.#Giro #GirodItalia #TudorWatch pic.twitter.com/YywnJvk6zl

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 24, 2023

The Course

Dig the profile: this route went downhill almost all day long, offering zero KOM points, with the final 35 km flat before the finish in Caorle. It screamed, “Bunch sprint!”

Big opportunity for the sprinters to fight for another win here at the #Giro, as the race travels from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle for stage 17. pic.twitter.com/Tjxn7DCsv4

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) May 24, 2023

After several twenty-rider breakaways, hardly anyone bothered on Wednesday. Four fellows flicked away to fly their flags. Not one was under two hours behind the pink jersey. Fugitive Thomas Champion seemed a bit bored of the whole thing.

? Mood of the day, featuring @ChampionThomas8 #Giro #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/QygtdJJTwc

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 24, 2023

At the first intermediate sprint in Rosà, Derek Gee kept his hat in the points jersey ring by snagging three points, although the man in the purple jersey, Jonathan Milan, took four.

After an injection of adrenaline, the stately procession shrugged its way along, the doomed quartet 1:30 to 2:30 ahead of the peloton, depending on the field’s comfort breaks, snacks and chats.

Belgian Senne Leysen of Alpecin-Deceuninck was the last holdout of the foursome, making it to 5 km to go mark.

The three sprinters threw their bikes at the line and there was an uncertainty. “Did I win?” Dainese asked after he had stopped. Si.

We’re back in the mountains on Thursday. A two-headed Cat. 2 climb is the summit finish.

2023 Giro d’Italia Stage 17
1) Alberto Dainese (Italy/DSM) 4:26:08
2) Jonathan Milan (Italy/Bahrain-Victorious) s.t.
3) Michael Matthews (Australia/Jayco-AlUla) s.t.
87) Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.

2023 Giro d’Italia GC
1) Geraint Thomas (Great Britain/Ineos) 71:58:53
2) João Almeida (Portugal/UAE-Emirates) +0:18
3) Primož Roglič (Slovenia/Jumbo-Visma) +0:29
4) Damiano Caruso (Italy/Bahrain-Victorious) +2:50
30) Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +39:04