Geraint Thomas leaks three seconds to Primoz Roglic on Stage 19 as Giro d’Italia set for time trial showdown

Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) noticed his benefit trimmed to 26 seconds on the Giro d’Italia after Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) made a late dart to the end line, with Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) taking Stage 19 victory on the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

After Buitrago had develop into the newest rider to deal out heartbreak to the excellent Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech), again down the highway the GC battle belatedly spluttered into motion after the Ineos pair of Laurens De Plus and Thymen Arensman lastly ran out of steam.

Joao Almeida (UAE Staff Emirates) was first to assault in a transfer that was shortly snuffed out earlier than Roglic, who had modified bikes on the backside of the penultimate labeled climb to provide him decrease gears on the steepest slopes, made his transfer. Thomas was unfazed, simply closing the hole and sitting on his rival’s wheel earlier than dropping an assault of his personal as he regarded to deal the decisive blow within the pink jersey battle.

However regardless of showing unable to carry Thomas’ wheel, Roglic in some way produced a last-gasp spurt to go the 37-year-old Welshman and take again three seconds forward of Saturday’s 18.6km particular person time trial. With Sunday’s stage a pan-flat run round Rome for the sprinters, the GC battle will nearly definitely be selected Stage 20’s race in opposition to the clock that concludes on the imposing Monte Lussari.

Extra to observe.

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