Giro: Thibaut Pinot still fails by a little to second place

An intact plume but still not wins. Thibaut Pinot shone again this Thursday on the roads of the Giro d'Italia. The 32-year-old Frenchman, as a reminder in the last year of his career, played the final victory until the end this Thursday at Val di Zoldo (Veneto) in the 18th stage of the Giro. But like last week, in Crans-Montana, the most romantic of the French climbers was once again robbed of victory.

🥺😩 pic.twitter.com/MmikLKoopv

— Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team (@GroupamaFDJ) May 25, 2023

Filippo Zana (Jayco AlUla) was the only one to have held his wheel nine kilometers from the finish when he chose to pull the breakaway formed early in the day. The Italian champion then waited for the last 100 meters before carrying his attack and passing Pinot, a regular in these places of honor that do not satisfy anyone. The face of Groupama-FDJ is still looking for its second stage victory on the Giro. He has not won a Grand Tour since 2019 and the final ascent of the Tourmalet. Note that the Breton Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) finished third.

It's terrible for Thibaut Pinot! The Frenchman must again settle for second place in this Giro 2023, the fault of Filippo Zana, faster in the sprint to win the 18th stage #LesRP pic.twitter.com/HOnXbJZ6uz

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) May 25, 2023

Geraint Thomas keeps his pink jersey tunic in general. The Ineos-Grenadiers leader arrived at the same time as Primoz Roglic, unlike Joao Almeida, who lost 20 seconds and dropped to 3rd place.

For Pinot, this is already the fifth second place of the season.

More information to come...