Giro d’Italia, chaotic sixth stage: maxi crash and final sprint, Groves triumphs in Naples

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The sixth stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, as well as the longest of the edition (as many as 227 kilometers) in 2025 starting in Potenza and finishing in Naples, was marked by a dramatic twist. A huge, indeed a maxi crash in the peloton forced the race direction to neutralize the event with 60 kilometers to go. Despite the very ugly crash that involved so many cyclists, the stage ended with a thrilling sprint on the Via Caracciolo promenade, where Australian Kaden Groves took victory with a fabulous sprint.

The route of this last stage was characterized by a continuous up and down between the mountains of Lucania and the gradual entry into the urban area of Naples. The stage immediately got into high gear, with a breakaway consisting of Ries, Tarozzi, Turner, Cerny, Engelhardt, Fortunato and, later, Germani. The highlight came on the Valico di Monte Carruozzo, where Lorenzo Fortunato won the GPM, showing excellent legs.

But with 70 km, good or bad, to go, the event took an unexpected and disastrous turn. In fact, the wet asphalt caused a disastrous crash involving about fifty riders, including such illustrious names as Carapaz, Yates, Van den Bossche, Hindley (forced to retire) and the pink jersey Pedersen. The stage was promptly stopped. This also required immediate ambulance and rescue services, prompting the jury to officially neutralize the stage, leaving only the sprint finish valid.

In the final kilometers, Van der Hoorn and Paleni attempted a shot from a distance, but were caught with 2.5 kilometers to go. Alpecin-Deceuninck led the peloton perfectly, paving the way for Kaden Groves who set everyone at the finish line. Second place for Milan Fretin (Cofidis), third Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).

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