Giro 2018 Stage 8: Richard Carapaz climbs to victory, Simon Yates retains leader

Following a hilly start and a flat intermediate section the 8th stage of the Giro ends uphill in Montevergine di Mercogliano. Leader in the young rider classification Richard Carapaza attacks 2 kilometres before the top, overhauls early attacker Koen Bouwman, and solos to victory. Simon Yates is still leading the Corsa Rosa. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 8th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia

1. Richard Carapaz (ecu)
2. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.07
3. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.
4. Enrico Battaglin (ita) s.t.
5. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
7. Esteban Chaves (col) s.t.
8. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
9. Michael Woods (can) s.t.
10. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.

11. Tom Dumoulin (nld) s.t.
13. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
14. Miguel Ángel López (col) s.t.
15. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
16. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
17. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
21. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
22. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
25. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
29. Louis Meintjes (rsa) s.t.

GC after th 8th stage
1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.16
3. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.26
4. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.41
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 0.43
6. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 0.53
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 1.03
8. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 1.06
9. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.10
10. George Bennett (nzl) + 1.11

11. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.12
12. Michael Woods (can) + 1.39
13. Sam Oomen (nld) + 1.42
16. Sergio Henao (col) + 1.47
17. Ben O’Connor (aus) + 2.00
20. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 2.12
26. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 4.34
27. Wout Poels (nld) + 4.44

Race report
Attacks are flying from the start, but nothing sticks for more than half an hour. Then Tosh Van der Sande, Koen Bouwman, Rodolfo Torres, Jan Polanc and Markel Irizar open up a gap, while Manuel Senni, Matej Mohoric, Davide Villella, Matteo Montaguti and Mads Pedersen jump across. Irizar, Senni and Pedersen can’t follow the pace.

The front group races to a lead of more than 6 minutes, yet it’s down to 2 minutes when they tackle the final climb.

With 12 kms to go Bouwman accelerates and Montaguti, Mohoric and Polanc bridge across. The Dutchman once again speeds up 4 kms before the finish when the main group is 20 seconds in arrears.

Carapaz attacks with 2 kms remaining and gobbles up Bouwman. The 24-year old Ecuadorian solos to victory, thus cementing his lead in the young riders classification and swapping places with Chris Froome on GC.

Davide Formolo outguns Thibaut Pinot in the peloton sprint, while Simon Yates finishes fifth to remain in the maglia rosa.

Tomorrow’s stage takes in two intermediate climbs to finish on the Gran Sasso after a 26.5 kilometres climb.