Giro 2023: Rubio wins in Crans-Montana, Thomas stays in pink

foto: Cor VosThibaut Pinot, Jefferson Cepeda and Einer Rubio perform a a fascinating cat and mouse play in the finish climb to Crans-Montana. Rubio wins the three-up sprint, while Geraint Thomas retains the maglia rosa. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 13th stage 2023 Giro

1. Einer Rubio (col)
2. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.06
3. Jefferson Cepeda (ecu) + 0.12
4. Derek Gee (can) + 1.01
5. Valentin Paret-Peintre (fra) + 1.29
6. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 1.29
7. João Almeida (por) + 1.35
8. Eddie Dunbar (irl) s.t.
9. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
10. Primoz Roglic (gbr) s.t.

GC after stage 13
1. Geraint Thomas (gbr)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.02
3. João Almeida (por) + 0.22
4. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.35
5. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 1.28
6. Lennard Kämna (ger) + 1.52
7. Eddie Dunbar (irl) + 2.32
8. Thymen Arensman (nld) + 2.45
9. Laurens De Plus (bel) + 3.08
10. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 3.13

11. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 3.16

Race report
A big group rides away from the peloton in the early kilometres. Ben Healy, Thibaut Pinot, Jay Vine, Jefferson Cepeda and Hugh Carthy are on board, but INEOS Grenadiers does not agree. A regroupment takes place after 5 kilometres.

Cepeda goes again before Derek Gee, Matthew Riccitello, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Thibaut Pinot, Bruno Armirail and Einer Rubio track him down. Armirail, Pinot’s super domestique, loses contact.

Some 5 kilometres before the summit Pinot accelerates. Gee closes down the gap with Rubio and Cepeda in his wheel. Pinot pockets 40 KOM points at the summit.

Paret-Peintre rejoins the four leaders on descent.

Down in the Rhône Valley the GC group is trailing 4 minutes behind the lead group, while the gap has fallen to 3 minutes in the opening metres of the finish climb.

Pinot speeds up with Cepeda in his wheel. Rubio comes clawing back. The cooperation is zilch and Gee also makes it back.

Pinot keeps on trying. And Cepeda keeps on following.

When Rubio regains contact, Pinot gives it another go with 8 kilometres remaining. Meanwhile, Fortunato attacks from the peloton. Moments later Haig loses contact.

Cepeda attacks for the first time with 5.2 kilometres to go. His team mate Carthy rejoins Fortunato in the background.

Pinot tracks down Cepeda and Rubio also makes it back.

Nothing happens in the last kilometres and then Cepeda opens the sprint early. Too early. The others overhaul him and Rubio keeps on pushing to take the best win in his career.

Carthy crosses the line 6 seconds ahead of the other GC riders and Thomas stays in the lead of the general classification.

Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2023 Giro.