Davide Bais won the seventh stage of the Giro when after he attacked the other two breakaway riders with 150 meters to go. It was the first professional victory for Bais.
“It was unexpected because I went into the breakaway to prepare for an attack by Lorenzo Fortunato,” Bais said. “He was the inspiration for our team to go for a mountain stage victory since he made it at Monte Zoncolan two years ago. In the finale, I knew I was the fastest so I waited for my opportunity to make the last push.”
Karel Vacek crossed second, nine seconds behind, and Simone Petilli came third, 16 seconds behind.
The first mountain stage of the Giro d’Italia ended without any changes to the top of the overall standings on Friday. The leaders all crossed together amid big banks of snow, three minutes behind the three breakaway riders.
Andreas Leknessund therefore held on to the pink jersey, while pre-race favorites Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic remained second and fifth overall, respectively.
“It was hard to climb up here,” Leknessund said. “But we controlled the situation. I was expecting some attacks that never happened because there was a headwind.”
Stage 8 on Saturday is an undulating 207-kilometer (129-mile) leg from Terni to Fossombrone featuring a few minor climbs.
