Giro 2014 Report Stage 7: Bouhanni takes his 2nd stage win

Nacer Bouhanni took his 2nd stage win in this year's Giro d'Italia. Race leader Michael Mattews performed admirably again and will wear pink going into the weekend mountain stages. (Slideshow route/profile)

Despite several attacks it wasn’t until the end of the 16 kilometre climb up Valico di Aricnazzo that the break of the day took shape. Aboard were Robinson Chalapud (Colombia), Jose Herrada (Movistar), Winner Anacona (Lampre-Merida), Bjorn Thurau (Europcar) and Nicola Boem (Bardiani-CSF).

Thurau has been quite active this Giro and seems to have a knack of getting in breaks. Herrada soon dropped back to the bunch to help out his Movistar-teammates (Quintana), with Nathan Haas of Garmin bridging to the break.

The group built a lead that reached 9 minutes but the peloton timed their effort perfectly with the gap down to 1 minute with 10 kilometres remaining, just the way they like it.

Orica-Greenedge and Giant-Shimano were most noticeable in the lead out of the sprint but it was Bouhanni who slipped through a gap to claim his 2nd stage. NIzzolo was 2nd with Mezgec 3rd.

Michael Mattews finished 4th to keep his pink jersey. Another impressive ride by the young Aussie.

Results 7th stage Giro 2014

1. Nacer Bouhanni (France)
2. Giacomo Mizzolo (Italy) s.t.
3. Luka Mezgec (Slovenia) s.t.
4. Michael Matthews (Australia) s.t
5. Roberto Ferrari (Italy) s.t.
6. Tyler Farrar (USA) s.t.
7. Enrico Bataglin (Italy) s.t.
8. Boy van Poppel (The Netherlands) s.t.
9. Ivan Rovny (Russia) s.t.
10. Elia Viviani (Italy) s.t.

GC after stage 7
1. Michael Matthews (Australia)
2. Cadel Evans (Australia) + 0.21
3. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia) + 1.18
4. Rafal Majka (Poland) + 1.25
5. Steve Morabito (Switzerland) s.t.
6. Matteo Rabottini (Italy) s.t.
7. Ivan Santaromita (Italy) + 1.47
8. Fabio Aru (Italy) + 1.51
9. Tim Wellens (Belgium) + 1.52
10. Ivan Basso (Italy) + 2.06