Giro d’Italia 2025: 18th stage won by Denz alone

In the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2025, a twist came. Nico Denz, a German rider for Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe, mocked all the breakaway companions and came out on top with a splendid solo move, thus taking his first victory in this edition of the corsa rosa.

The 144-kilometer-long stage from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno featured a choppy first part with three GPMs (Parlasco, Colle Balisio and Ravellino) followed by about 60 flat kilometers, which led to the technical 13-kilometer final circuit. It was in this final section that the race was decided.

Among the protagonists of the first part of the race was Christian Scaroni, first at the GPM of Parlasco and Colle Balisio, while Pedersen won the sprint finishes of Primaluna and Galbiate.

In the final circuit, the pace soared and a group of eight attackers formed: Planckaert, De Bondt, Hoole, Van Baarle, Conci, Maestri, Edmondson and Nico Denz himself. With 20 km to go, Denz decided to break away, surprising everyone with an acceleration that allowed him to gain up to a 30-second lead.

In spite of a late comeback attempt by Daan Hoole and a sprint by the chasers, no one was able to catch him. Nico Denz thus crossed the finish line with arms raised, deservedly winning a stage made uncertain and hard-fought precisely because of his courage. Second place for Maestri, third Planckaert. The pink jersey, Isaac Del Toro, finished more than 10 minutes behind, on a day with no major shakeups for the general classification.