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Home favourite Jonathan\u00a0Milan saw off Tim\u00a0Merlier in the final sprint to claim his second stage win of the Giro\u00a0d’Italia on stage 11, while Slovenia’s Tadej\u00a0Pogacar retained his overall lead.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 207km ride from Foiano\u00a0di\u00a0Val\u00a0Fortore\u00a0to\u00a0Francavilla\u00a0al\u00a0Mare included a category three climb before a flat second half, allowing the sprinters to come the fore as Lidl-Trek’s Milan followed his stage four win by powering to victory.<\/p>\n
Soudal Quick-Step’s stage three winner Merlier emerged as Milan’s closest rival as the peloton edged towards the finish but he swung out sharply to the right, forcing Juan Sebastian Molano to stop momentarily.<\/p>\n
The Belgian was subsequently relegated for the manoeuvre as Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Kaden Groves finished second.<\/p>\n
Victory for Milan strengthens his grip on the points jersey, while UAE Team Emirates’ Pogacar avoided a late crash to finish safely in the group and maintain his lead overall.<\/p>\n
“Last\u00a0year\u00a0after\u00a0I\u00a0won\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0always\u00a0up\u00a0there\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0sprints\u00a0but I couldn’t\u00a0win another one. It’s important to learn from the mistakes I’ve made in the past,”\u00a0Italian Milan\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
Bora-Hansgrohe’s Colombian Daniel Martinez remains second overall, while Ineos’ Welshman Geraint Thomas stays third.<\/p>\n
Thursday’s flatter\u00a0stage\u00a012\u00a0runs over\u00a0193km\u00a0from Martinsicuro to Fano.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n