Pedersen makes it 3 wins out of 5 at Giro d'Italia to extend his overall lead
MATERA, Italy: Overall leader Mads Pedersen made it three wins out of five at this year's Giro d'Italia as he won a bunch sprint at the end of the fifth stage on Wednesday.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Pedersen just managed to edge out Edoardo Zambanini in a finish that was so close the Lidl-Trek rider had to ask a teammate: 'Did I win? Are you sure?'
Tom Pidcock was third at the end of the 151-kilometer (94-mile) route from Ceglie Messapica to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera, which is renowned for its 'Sassi,' or ancient cave dwellings.
The 29-year-old Pedersen also won two of the three opening stages in Albania to take the leader's pink jersey back to Italy.
'Now it's really incredible and to win in this jersey as well, it's insane and it's way more than I ever dreamt about,' Pedersen said. 'What a Giro we have and what a team I have around me.'
With the bonus seconds Pedersen picked up, the Danish cyclist extended his lead over pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic to 17 seconds, with Mathias Vacek another seven seconds back.
With a kilometer to go, Pedersen appeared too far back but he managed to get up to the front before a late corner and then got a great lead out from Vacek.
Pedersen then launched his final sprint early and just barely held off Zambanini, who almost managed to beat him after coming up along the barriers.
'I used a lot of energy to move back up on Vacek's wheel,' Pedersen said. 'I had to spend energy to come back to at least fight for the win. Then luckily I had enough for the last sprint. So that was a really tough one.'
Prior to this year's race, Pedersen had only won one stage in the Giro, two years ago in Naples — where Thursday's sixth stage also ends.
'Every day we try to win as as much as possible and we try again tomorrow,' he said.
The stage is the longest leg of the three-week race and has two categorized climbs on the 227-kilometer route from Potenza.
The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
9 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Ranieri Turns Down Italy Job to Stay on at Roma as Senior Advisor
Claudio Ranieri said on Tuesday he has turned down the vacant Italy manager's job, after the four-times world champions sacked Luciano Spalletti, and will stay on with AS Roma as their senior advisor. Former Napoli coach Spalletti, 66, announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 drubbing by Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday. Ranieri, who recently retired for a second time after his spell at Roma last season, said he was honored to have been offered the job by Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina. "I thank President Gravina for the opportunity, a great honor, but I have reflected and decided to remain available to Roma in my new position totally," he told Italian news agency ANSA. "The Friedkins (Roma owners) gave me their full support and backing for whatever decision I had made regarding the national team but the decision is mine alone." Ranieri helped Roma finish fifth in Serie A last season to qualify for the Europa League. The 73-year-old Italian has been replaced by former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
Strategic reforms and cultural depth are driving Uzbekistan's tourism boom, says official
TASHKENT: As Uzbekistan undergoes an economic transformation, tourism has emerged as both a cultural ambassador and a powerful growth engine. At the forefront is Umid Rustamovich Shadiyev, chairman of the Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology. Formerly Uzbekistan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Shadiyev brings both diplomatic experience and a deep understanding of the nation's rich heritage. Arab News spoke with Shadiyev during the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, a flagship platform bringing together global investors, policymakers, and innovators to explore Uzbekistan's investment landscape. Now in its fourth edition, the forum has become a cornerstone of the country's reform agenda, highlighting strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. This year's event welcomed over 2,500 delegates from 70 countries, with tourism receiving special focus as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. Saudi-Uzbek tourism ties deepen The conversation turned to Saudi Arabia, where tourism is undergoing a historic transformation under Vision 2030. Shadiyev praised the Kingdom's diversification efforts, calling it 'a new center of global tourism.' Uzbekistan sees an opportunity for synergy, and a memorandum of cooperation in tourism was signed in 2022, followed by joint forums and high-level meetings in 2023 and 2024. 'Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is growing stronger each year,' said the official. The results are visible. Saudi tourist arrivals in Uzbekistan rose from 1,731 in 2022 to over 4,100 in 2024, reflecting growing interest in cultural, gastronomic, and mountain tourism. 'There's huge potential in developing family-oriented tours, heritage trails, and collaborative media campaigns,' Shadiyev noted. Tourism university exchanges, journalist visits, and influencer collaborations are also being explored. In 2025, Uzbekistan is emphasizing sustainable tourism and aims to increase the average stay of foreign visitors to 10 to 12 days. Strategic partnerships — such as with Saudi Arabia — are seen as central to achieving this goal. Tourism emerges as economic pillar 'Tourism is currently one of the key sectors of Uzbekistan's economy,' Shadiyev noted. 'In 2024, we saw a significant leap forward: the export of tourism services increased by 1.6 times, reaching $3.5 billion.' This performance is backed by a rise in entrepreneurship, with more than 2,000 new tourism businesses launched in the past year alone. From boutique hotels to eco-lodges and cultural tour operators, a new generation of investors is responding to supportive government policies and the sector's strong profitability. The transformation is evident across the country. Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has attracted $6.5 billion in tourism-related investments and added 130,000 new hotel beds. 'These achievements reflect our commitment to building a world-class tourism ecosystem,' Shadiyev said. A major milestone came in April, when over 1 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in a single month — a national record. Shadiyev attributes this growth to visa policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and active global engagement. 'We're not only opening our doors wider; we're creating lasting experiences for visitors,' he said. Looking ahead, Uzbekistan aims to further increase both international arrivals and tourism export volumes in 2025. The government is systematically working toward these goals by investing in digital transformation, human capital, and diversified tourism offerings. Four seasons, one destination Positioned at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan has long served as a bridge between East and West. Shadiyev highlighted the country's unique geographic and cultural positioning: 'We're the heart of Central Asia — no regional tour is complete without including Uzbekistan.' What makes Uzbekistan truly special, he said, is its year-round appeal. In spring, visitors celebrate Navruz, the festival of renewal, and explore blooming gardens, vibrant bazaars, and the historic cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Summer brings tourists to mountain resorts and natural lakes, rich fruit harvests, and traditional crafts festivals. Winter offers skiing and tranquil nature retreats, while autumn is ideal for cultural immersion and warm Uzbek hospitality. 'Every season offers a new story, a new flavor,' Shadiyev said. The country's legacy is underscored by its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Uzbekistan is also witnessing a boom in niche tourism markets, including ziyarat, or pilgrimage tourism, ecotourism, domestic travel, and culinary tours. Uzbekistan's rise on the global travel radar is also backed by international accolades. The country was named the Most Desirable Emerging Destination by Wanderlust, UK; won the tourism in the CIS award from Russian Traveler; and was featured among the Top 25 Destinations of 2025 by both BBC Travel and The New York Times. Gulf travelers drawn to shared culture When asked about Uzbekistan's appeal to Arab travelers, particularly from the Gulf region, Shadiyev emphasized deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties. 'Our shared Islamic heritage and atmosphere of religious respect make Uzbekistan especially attractive to Gulf visitors,' he said. Khiva's designation as the 2024 Tourism Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation reflects this connection. Other key events include the Economic Cooperation Organization's tourism forum in Shakhrisabz, which spotlighted opportunities in religious and cultural travel. Uzbekistan is enhancing its appeal through substance and strategy. A 30-day visa-free regime now applies to citizens of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, as well as those of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Direct flights from Gulf capitals are expanding, and tour operators are curating experiences tailored to Arab travelers. The country offers a rich mix of gastronomy — including signature dishes like plov, manti, and shurpa — as well as ethno-tourism experiences in traditional villages, and a vibrant calendar of music, art, and food festivals. Uzbekistan is also rolling out a UN tourism platform and a unified tourist card integrating visa services, tickets, and discounts. 'We're not just promoting Uzbekistan; we're building a seamless visitor experience,' Shadiyev added. Vision rooted in heritage and openness As the interview concluded, Shadiyev returned to a theme central to Uzbekistan's tourism push: openness. 'We are a country that welcomes the world — with history in our stones and hospitality in our hearts,' he said. The Tashkent International Investment Forum served as the perfect setting for this conversation, reflecting Uzbekistan's economic momentum and its growing network of global partnerships — none more vibrant than those flourishing through tourism. As Shadiyev put it, quoting an old proverb: 'It's better to see something once than hear about it a hundred times.'
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
Italy struggle but give sacked Spalletti winning send-off against Moldova
ITALY: Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side labored to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso. Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 loss in Norway in their opening group game on Friday, but took charge for one final time where again the performance showed why a change of leadership was required. Norway, who won 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, top Group I on 12 points from four games, with Israel on six points after three matches while Italy are third with three points from their two games. 'I asked the guys to let me go out with a victory,' Spalletti told Sky Sport shortly before kickoff. While his players duly obliged, it was perhaps a fitting end to Spalletti's time on the bench as another lacklustre showing failed to light up a far from full Stadio Citta del Tricolore. With Italy's slow, predictable build-up play failing to break through the visitors' rearguard, the hosts were given an early wake-up call when Ion Nicolaescu found the net only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. Italy's first threat came when defender Luca Ranieri, making his international debut, hit the crossbar with a header, and they found the breakthrough five minutes before the break. A headed clearance fell to Raspadori in the box who struck first time into the bottom corner but Moldova almost levelled before halftime when Oleg Reabciuk's shot from distance was parried away by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Artur Ionita's follow-up effort went wide of the far post and Daniel Dumbravanu's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Federico Dimarco as Italy hung onto their lead. Italy doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when substitute Riccardo Orsolini sent a low cross into the area which Davide Frattesi knocked on to Cambiaso who fired past keeper Cristian Avram. The two-goal cushion failed to inspire Italy. Frattesi was sent through on goal from a ball over the top by Alessandro Bastoni but he sent his shot straight at the keeper and Moldova continued to create chances of their own. 'We struggled again tonight,' Spalletti told Rai Sport. 'When you are the coach of the national team you cannot have alibis because he chooses the players and if they don't do well he can change them.' Spalletti's name was booed by large sections of the crowd when read out before kickoff, and the game failed to improve the mood, and Italian fans will hope for better when a replacement, rumored to be Claudio Ranieri, is installed.
