Matthews triumphs in the sprint

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The 32-year-old Australian triumphed on the slightly hilly 216km stretch from Vasto to Melfi in the sprint of a decimated field ahead of Dane Mads Pedersen and compatriot Kaden Groves to celebrate his first win of the year.

Remco Evenepoel remains leader in the general classification. The Belgian secures a few bonus seconds in the final sprint classification, which he passed first ahead of his main rival Primoz Roglic, and is now 32 seconds ahead of the Portuguese João Almeida and 44 seconds ahead of Roglic. The previously second-placed Italian Filippo Ganna falls behind.

Only in the last 30 kilometers does the race gain momentum when several top sprinters can no longer keep up with the pace on two climbs in the third and fourth categories. Stefan Küng had a quiet stage. De Thurgau crossed the finish line in 25th with the leading group and is still fourth overall, 46 seconds behind.

The first real mountain test will take place on Thursday. Three climbs must be conquered on the 175-kilometer stage to Lago Laceno. Three kilometers before the finish, the path leads over the Colle Molella, which has an average gradient of more than six percent. (SDA)

Source : Blick