Bettiol Triumphs in Giro Stage 13 as Eulalio Keeps Pink Jersey

Alberto Bettiol won stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia with a decisive climb acceleration, while Afonso Eulalio retained the pink jersey. Jonas Vingegaard is poised to challenge for overall lead in the upcoming mountain stage.

Bettiol Claims Stage 13 Victory at Giro d'Italia

Italy's Alberto Bettiol secured a remarkable win on stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia, delivering a powerful acceleration on the final climb amid the scenic Italian lakes region.

Racing for XDS-Astana, Bettiol surged past Norway's Andreas Leknessund at the summit of the ascent, on a route lined with enthusiastic Italian supporters. The duo had broken away from a competitive breakaway group earlier in the stage.

Bettiol, aged 32, completed the 189km stage in bright sunshine, finishing 26 seconds ahead of Leknessund of Uno-X Mobility. During his effort to maintain the lead, Bettiol nearly crashed after bouncing heavily over a drain grate, taking increasing risks to secure the victory.

Belgium's Jasper Stuyven of Soudal-Quick Step finished third, leading a smaller chasing group 44 seconds behind, with Britain's Mark Donovan placing fifth.

"I won [this stage] before because all the family are here, and my girlfriend and her family are from Verbania, so I consider it my second house,"

Bettiol said after the race.

"But winning like this is something I will bring forever with me. I knew every single corner in last 50km because sometimes I train here. For me [I was] at the limit for this climb but I knew my shape was good."

A fan by the road in Giro d'Italia's stage 13 — Image caption, The race took place in the Italian region of Piedmont

General Classification and Upcoming Challenges

In the overall standings, Portugal's Afonso Eulalio of Bahrain-Victorious retained the pink jersey, leading by 33 seconds over Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner representing Visma-Lease a Bike.

Ad (970x250)

Ad (425x293)

Vingegaard, 29, is widely regarded as the favorite to take the pink jersey before the race concludes in Rome on 31 May. Saturday's challenging mountain stage in the Italian Alps, featuring three category one climbs, is expected to be pivotal, potentially marking the day Vingegaard replaces the blue jersey of the king of the mountains with the pink jersey of the overall leader.

Vingegaard dismissed recent reports of illness, affirming he felt "100%" fit.

riders next to Lake Maggiore Giro d'Italia stage 13 — Image caption, The stage finished on the shores of the beautiful Lake Maggiore

Afonso Eulalio rides in the pink jersey — Image caption, Eulalio will ride in pink for a ninth day on Saturday in the Alps

Jonas Vingegaard in the podium after stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia — Image caption, But strong favourite Vingegaard is coming for Eulalio and expected to take pink on Saturday

Image caption, Stage 14 in the Italian Alps has three category one climbs and is the hardest stage of the race so far

Bettiol's Career Highlights

Bettiol's victory adds a second Giro d'Italia stage win to his career achievements, which also include his 2019 triumph at the prestigious one-day monument race, the Tour of Flanders.

Other Race Highlights

Meanwhile, in Spain, Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes won a sprint finish on stage two of the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas. The SD Worx rider crossed the line first in a bunch sprint, with Britain's Millie Couzens of Fenix-Premier Tech finishing seventh.