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Belgian Wout van Aert produced a magnificent sprint finish to win stage nine of the Giro d’Italia.<\/b><\/p>\n
Van Aert, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, held off Mexican Isaac del Toro – who narrowly finished second but took the lead in the general classification.<\/p>\n
Del Toro launched his attack along the gravel with just under 50km to go, forming a breakaway which also included Van Aert and Ineos Grenadiers’ Egan Bernal.<\/p>\n
Bernal slipped back with around 20km left, but Van Aert overtook Del Toro on the steep finish at Piazza del Campo with 400m remaining.<\/p>\n
The stage winner was visibly emotional, having endured a difficult period out with a knee injury.<\/p>\n
“This victory means a lot to me. I almost cannot explain it,” said 30-year-old Van Aert.<\/p>\n
“To win this stage after a long period without delivering, it feels so good.<\/p>\n
“I had to fight all the way to the top, to the streets of Siena. I know the final stretch pretty well, I needed to do the move in the last three corners.”<\/p>\n
British rider Simon Yates finished fifth on the stage and sits sixth in the overall standings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n