Giro d’Italia, Buitrago wins on the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. Thomas remains in pink

Giro, Buitrago wins on the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. Thomas remains in pink

Santiago Buitrago won the 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia, one of the toughest of the pink race, 183 km from Longarone to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Colombian cyclist in a thrilling finish between two wings of the crowd won his second stage at the Giro by a breakaway, ahead of the day’s other escapees (Gee finished second, Cort Nielsen was third).

Geraint Thomas, ahead of Saturday’s decisive time trial, withstood Primoz Roglic’s attack and retained the pink jersey: in the time trial, the Slovenian will have to make up 26 seconds to the leader of the classification.

Eighteen seconds gained on Joao Almeida, detached but not yet completely out of the picture. Damiano Caruso recovered one position in the overall standings and is now fourth.