Plapp solos to stage win, Ulissi becomes first Italian to lead Giro in four years
CASTELRAIMONDO, Italy — Luke Plapp soloed to victory in the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia for the biggest win of his career while Italian veteran Diego Ulissi moved into the overall lead on Saturday.
'Crazy, crazy,' Plapp said with a smile immediately after his first victory in a Grand Tour.
Plapp attacked from a breakaway with about 45 kilometers (28 miles) remaining and had about a minute's advantage on the final climb. The Australian rider then used his time trialling skills to hold off his chasers.
'I knew I couldn't beat any of them in a sprint, so I knew I had to go at some stage pretty early,' Plapp said. 'I just thought I'd give it a crack and, to be honest, just wanted a bit of a head start on the descent as well.
'So, to stay away all the way to the finish is definitely not what I expected.'
Plapp had plenty of time to celebrate, sitting up and lifting his arms out as he crossed the line 38 seconds ahead of Wilco Kelderman and Ulissi at the end of the tricky 97-kilometer (122-mile) route from Giulianova to Castelraimondo.
'I feel like it's been a long time coming,' Plapp said. 'Last year I got so close at the Giro so many times, and for today to happen is so, so special.
'We marked it as a stage (to win) for a few weeks now and then this morning on the bus we were really really excited. So to make it happen is a dream come true.'
Ulissi faced an anxious wait to see whether he'd done enough to take the pink jersey from pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic and become the first Italian to lead the race since 2021.
He let out a loud yell of joy when it was confirmed, after Roglic and most of the rest of the peleton finished nearly five minutes off the pace.
Ulissi, who had never previously led the Giro, has a 12-second advantage over compatriot Lorenzo Fortunato and was 17 seconds ahead of Roglic.
'Just before putting it on (the leader's jersey), I was really thinking about the afternoons I spent with my grandparents when I was a kid and watching the Giro and dreaming,' Ulissi said.
'I had already realized the dream of winning stages, I came very close to wearing the pink jersey. Now, living this dream at the end of my career — because I'm not getting any younger — is everything, truly a great joy.'
Even more special is that Ulissi will be in pink as his home race heads into his home region of Tuscany.
'I'm thinking of sleeping with the maglia rosa on tonight,' Ulissi said with a laugh. 'But the thought of going through my Tuscany with the maglia rosa is truly a great emotion.'
Sunday's ninth stage includes a mini Strade Bianche on the white, gravel roads on the 181-kilometer route from Gubbio to Siena.
The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Alcaraz feels he pushed Lorenzo Musetti to the limit in French Open semi
Carlos Alcaraz felt he pushed Lorenzo Musetti to the limit as he reached a second successive French Open final. The defending champion secured his place in Sunday's Roland Garros showpiece after Italian eighth seed Musetti, who had won the first set, retired in the fourth while trailing 4-6 7-6 (3) 6-0 2-0. Advertisement 'It's not the way that I want to win, to make the final,' said Alcaraz. 'I just wished him a speedy recovery. I hope to see him soon, on court again, enjoying his tennis again. 'In the first set I had a few break points that I couldn't make. I tried to stay there. I knew that I had chances. I was playing great. 'It was just about a few mistakes or few things that made the difference in the first set. 'Then in the second set, it was pretty close as well. I ended up playing a great tie-break. I think his level went down a little bit, and I made the most of it. Advertisement 'At the beginning of the third set, I knew what I had to do. I'm pushing him to the limit, try to make him run from side to side. 'In the end, you know, he had to retire, but I think it was a really important moment the beginning of the third set.' The 22-year-old Spaniard now has the chance to become the first man to retain the title since his idol, Rafael Nadal, managed it in 2020. Musetti played some exquisite tennis in the first two sets under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier. But the 23-year-old had treatment on his leg during a one-sided third set and called it a day after Alcaraz won nine games in a row. Advertisement There were echoes of a match here four years ago when Musetti retired against Novak Djokovic at 4-0 down in the fifth, later saying he was not injured but that he quit because he was 'not able to win a point'. This time he revealed he had a problem with his thigh. 'I felt it at the beginning of the third when I was serving, I started losing a little bit of strength on the left leg, behind,' he said. 'Definitely it was going worse and worse, so I decided to stop. I think it was the right decision to make, even if it was not what I wanted.' Musetti is scheduled to play at Queen's Club in just over a week in the build-up to Wimbledon. Advertisement But he added: 'It's too early to say. Of course in the programme it's next tournament Queen's, and then of course Wimbledon. 'But of course we are going to evaluate tomorrow what the examinations will say, and take a decision for what's next.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Tottenham fires Ange Postecoglou after worst-ever Premier League finish, Europa League win
Tottenham fires Ange Postecoglou after worst-ever Premier League finish, Europa League win Show Caption Hide Caption Timing of FIFA Club World Cup problematic for teams across the globe Seth Vertelney explains why the timing of the FIFA Club World Cup is sounding alarms for franchises across the globe. Sports Seriously Tottenham Hotspur have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou, the club said on Friday, despite the Australian guiding Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years with victory in the Europa League final last month. Postecoglou will leave two years to the day after his appointment. Spurs beat Manchester United in Bilbao to win the Europa League and book their place in next season's Champions League, but a dismal domestic campaign ultimately cost Postecoglou his job. "The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place," Spurs said in a statement. "Following a positive start in the 2023-24 Premier League season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. "At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph." Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League last season, fuelling pressure on the 59-year-old in his second year at the helm. Spurs finished fifth with 66 points in the Australian's first season, helping them earn a place in the Europa League. Many pundits believed their continental triumph might be a lifeline for the manager, while he sounded hopeful himself, telling delighted fans during the team's trophy parade: "In all the best television series, season three is better than season two." But the club's board, who called it one of the "toughest decisions we have had to make," thought otherwise. "We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon," Spurs said in their statement. "We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home." Spurs were hit hard by injuries this past season, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison all missing significant time. Brentford manager Thomas Frank and Fulham's Marco Silva have both been linked as potential candidates to replace Postecoglou.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan To Officially Announce Cristian Chivu As Coach Next Week
Report – Inter Milan To Officially Announce Cristian Chivu As Coach Next Week Inter Milan will officially make the announcement of Cristian Chivu as their new coach at the start of next week. This according to Italian outlet FCInter1908. They report that the Nerazzurri will have to wait until finalizing the Romanian's departure from Parma before they make it official. Advertisement nter Milan have decided upon Cristian Chivu to be their new coach. The 44-year-old will replace Simone Inzaghi, who has left to join Al-Hilal. Inter had been working on snapping up Cesc Fabregas to become Inzaghi's successor. However, Como President Mirwan Suwarson strongly rebuffed the Nerazzurri's interest, and stated that the Lariani would refuse to release the Spaniard. Meanwhile, Genoa coach Patrick Vieira was another name reportedly on Inter's shortlist. Inter Milan To Officially Announce Cristian Chivu Next Week Inter Milan met with Chivu and his representatives yesterday and today. And in this afternoon's meeting, the parties came to a complete agreement. Therefore, Chivu is reportedly ready to put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Inter. Advertisement However, the 44-year-old will not be announced as Inter coach today, officially. That is because Inter are still waiting on the final details of Chivu's separation from Parma. However, reports FCIN1908, in the meantime Inter and Chivu have begun planning for next season. That has included talks regarding the Club World Cup, and the summer transfer window.
