French champion Arnaud Demare outsprinted the peloton on the sixth stage for his second win of this yr’s Giro d’Italia on Thursday. The Groupama-FDJ rider dominated the dash end in Matera whereas Portugal’s Joao Almeida (Deceuninck) retained the race chief’s pink jersey. Demare crossed the road a number of bike lengths away from Australian Michael Matthews and residential hope Fabio Felline. The 188-kilometre experience was marked by a four-man breakaway which constructed up a close to nine-minute benefit on the chasing pack at one level.
Approaching the ultimate 30km the hole was right down to 90 seconds, with James Whelan the final man standing of the breakaway quartet.
The Australian was caught with 14km remaining, with a robust headwind then thwarting any solo bids for the day’s honours.
Peter Sagan’s group dictated the tempo however the former triple world champion needed to accept eighth within the sprint for the road.
“Magnificent,” beamed Demare after his third profession Giro stage success.
Promoted
“At present, I may barely increase my arms,” added the 29-year-old, who needed to dig deep to sneak residence in a photo-finish in Sicily on Tuesday.
Friday’s 143km seventh stage from Matera to Brindisi will even favour the sprinters within the peleton.
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