Revelation of the beginning of the season, the Irishman Ben Healy won alone the 8th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday in Fossombrone where Primoz Roglic went on the attack to take 14 seconds from Remco Evenepoel. The 22-year-old rider, looking like a fine arts student, performed an impressive act in the manner of a Tadej Pogacar to complete a solo raid of more than 50 kilometers.
He was almost two minutes ahead of three of his former breakaway companions, Canadian Derek Gee, Italian Filippo Zana and Frenchman Warren Barguil. More than four minutes behind the winner, Roglic made the right operation of the day by taking 14 seconds from Evenepoel, his great rival for the final victory, who faltered for the first time in this Giro before the individual time trial of 35 km this Sunday.
The Slovenian went on the attack on the final climb of the Cappucccini, followed by two Ineos riders, Britain's Tao Geoghegan Hart and Geraint Thomas.
🔻Today's last kilometre is a triumphant ride 🚲⚡️
🔻L'ultimo km di oggi è una cavalcata trionfale 🚲⚡️ #Giro #GirodItalia @Expo2030Roma @_BHealyyy pic.twitter.com/9QfpJfiTz7
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 13, 2023
Evenepoel, who crashed twice on Wednesday, couldn't resist the acceleration and crossed the line with a small group of chasers including Portugal's Joao Almeida. Novegean Andreas Leknessund managed to retain the pink leader's jersey with 8 seconds ahead of Evenepoel and 38 seconds ahead of Roglic.
Ben Healy (EF Education) is the revelation of this start to the season after a remarkable classics campaign with second places in the Brabant Fleche and the Amstel Gold Race and a fourth place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It is the best victory of his young career for the Irishman with the goatee and semi-long hair who participates for the first time in a Grand Tour.