Ackermann without a chance in the sprint
Local hero celebrates emotional Giro victory
May 24, 2023, 6:08 p.m
In what is probably the penultimate sprint decision at the Giro d’Italia, Pascal Ackermann has no chance of winning his second stage. The man from the Palatinate had to be content with tenth place on the 17th stage over 197 kilometers to Caorle. Instead, there was a double victory for the hosts.
Cyclist Pascal Ackermann sprinted past his second stage win at the 106th Giro d’Italia. The 29-year-old from Team UAE Emirates finished tenth in the mass sprint of the 197-kilometer 17th stage in Caorle. Local hero Alberto Dainese (Team DSM) snatched victory in the photo finish ahead of his compatriot Jonathan Milan (Bahrain-Victorious) and the Australian Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla).
“It’s unbelievable. We rode great,” said Dainese almost a year after his last stage win at the Giro: “The last few meters were really hard, I was completely at the limit. I’ve been a little sick the last few days, the win feels really good good.”
Ackermann had won the eleventh stage last week and celebrated the redeeming first win of the season. The peloton only picked up the pace on the winding last four kilometers, and the German was no longer able to keep up with the decisive increase in pace. Two-time stage winner Nico Denz (Bora-hansgrohe) was 14th, six Italians placed in the top 10.
There were no major changes in the overall standings: the leader’s pink jersey is still worn by former Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas. The lead over Ackermann’s Portuguese teammate Joao Almeida is 18 seconds. The best German in the ranking is Lennard Kämna in sixth (+3:20 minutes). On Thursday there could be a little more upheaval in the overall standings. The 161 km long and mountainous 18th stage leads from Oderzo to Val di Zoldo.