Jai Hindley snatched the Giro d’Italia lead from Richard Carapaz on Saturday’s penultimate stage, won by Alessandro Covi, getting close to ensure a stunning overall victory in the Italian Grand Tour.
You can rewatch STAGE 20 HERE
Hindley made his move with less than three kilometres remaining of the mountainous, 168km 20th stage, pulling one minute and 28 seconds away from Carapaz ahead of Sunday’s final stage time trial in Verona.
“I knew this was going to be the crucial stage of the race. I knew there was a brutal finish and that you could make a difference,” said Hindley. “We just stayed patient, saved our energy until today and, you know, actually it was perfect.”
The Australian started the day just three seconds behind Carapaz and demolished the Ineos rider towards the summit of the Passo di Fedaia.
Carapaz visibly struggled to keep up with Hindley on a 14km climb at 7.6 percent and watched his slender lead vanish after a powerful and well-time attack by his rival.
Carapaz even finished behind Mikel Landa, who had appeared out of the running earlier in the day.
Stage winner Covi claimed the biggest win of his career on home turf after a bold attack with over 50km to go. The 23-year-old UAE rider went for it on the stage’s second big Passo Pordoi climb and held off Domen Novak to win his first Grand Tour stage.
“Last year we went close a couple of times this year I wanted to win a stage, but I had to help (Joao) Almeida so my chances for winning for few and far between,” said Covi.
“Unfortunately Joao caught Covid and we were left bare for the final three stages, so we wanted to take home at least one of them for the team.”
