Luke Plapp of Jayco Alula won stage eight of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday with a formidable solo effort to clinch victory on the 197km ride from Giulianova to Castelraimondo.
After nearly 20 riders formed a breakaway group with 100km to go, Plapp switched gears when he attacked the Montelago climb and the Australian did not look back as he rode to victory with no chaser in sight.
Wilco Kelderman of Visma-Lease a Bike finished second while XDS-Astana’s Diego Ulissi came in third, with both riders finishing 38 seconds behind Plapp.
But Ulissi’s effort was enough for him to take the overall leader’s pink jersey from Juan Ayuso, with the Italian screaming in delight when he was told the maglia rosa was his.
