Giro 2019: Cataldo bests Cattaneo in two-up sprint, Carapaz cements lead

Dario Cataldo and Mattia Cattaneo bring a monster-break home in the 15th stage of the Giro before Cataldo wins the two-up sprint. Simon Yates finishes in third in group with maglia rosa Richard Carapaz, Vincenzo Nibali and Hugh Carthy, who all gain time on Primoz Roglic. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 15th stage Giro d’Italia 2019

1. Dario Cataldo (ita)
2. Mattia Cattaneo (ita) s.t.
3. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.11
4. Hugh Carthy (gbr) s.t.
5. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
6. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
7. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 0.36
8. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.

12. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.51
13. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
15. Jan Polanc (slo) + 0.54
16. Pavel Sivakov (rus) + 1.04
17. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.

GC after stage 15
1. Richard Carapaz (ecu)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo)+ 0.47
3. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 1.47
4. Rafal Majka (pol) + 2.35
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 3.15
6. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 3.38
7. Jan Polanc (slo) + 4.12
8. Simon Yates (gbr) + 5.24
9. Pavel Sivakov (rus) + 5.48
10. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 5.55

11. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 6.57
14. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 14.38

Race report
Following a fast opening Dario Cataldo and Mattia Cattaneo join forces. Several riders try to make it across, but without success. The peloton keeps chasing for tenths of kilometres before throwing in the towel. The leaders carve out a gap of more than 16 minutes.

On the Colma di Sormano the gap falls below 6 minutes when Simon Yates attacks with 46 kilometres out. Carapaz, Landa and Nibali go with him, while the other GC riders rejoin later. Yates gives it another go, but stops his effort just before the top.

The two leaders reach the lake shore 4 minutes ahead of the GC riders. The favourites don’t work together at first and the gap widens before Roglic suffers a mechanical and he is forced to chase. He rejoins the group just before the Civiglio.

Cataldo and Cattaneo tackle the Civiglio 3.40 minutes ahead of the GC riders. Carthy is the first to accelerate in the group and Yates goes after him. Then Nibali attacks with Carapaz on his wheel. They catch Yates to leave him behind and head for Carthy.

The leading duo reaches the crest 1 minute ahead of Carapaz, Nibali and Carthy. Roglic is 15 seconds further behind and he crashes in the descent, yet he is back on his bike quickly. Meanwhile, Nibali leaves Carapaz and Carthy behind, while Yates joins them. The three regain contact with the Italian just before the last kilometre.

Cattaneo bests his compatriot in the sprint-à-deux before Yates sprints to third place in the group with Carapaz, Nibali and Carthy, who gain 40 seconds on Roglic.

Another interesting read: route 15th stage of the 2019 Giro d’Italia.