Giro: Joao Almeida first on Monte Bondone, Thomas back in pink

Giro d’Italia: Joao Almeida first on Monte Bondone, Thomas back in pink

Joao Almeida won stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia 2023, a 203-kilometer stage from Sabbio Chiese to Monte Bondone. The Portuguese UAE Emirates rider beat Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), who is back in the pink jersey and leader of the general classification.

More in trouble was the other big Primoz Roglic, who struggled to keep up with the other two candidates for the overall victory and crossed the finish line in third place about 25 seconds behind the winner. For Damiano Caruso, it was a bittersweet day: the Ragusan climbed to fourth place but finished more than a minute behind and is now far from the podium of the pink race.

In the overall standings, Thomas is in pink 18 seconds ahead of Almeida, 29 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic, and nearly three minutes ahead of Caruso. Wednesday features a sprinters’ stage, the 195-kilometer Pergine Valsugana-Caorle.