Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates produced an individual time-trial masterclass to win stage seven of the Giro d’Italia, crushing the opposition on the 40.6km route from Foligno to Perugia after Filippo Ganna had set the pace.

Ineos Grenadiers’ Italian rider Ganna had set a time of 52min 1sec and looked set to win the stage when Pogacar found himself behind after the second intermediate checkpoint. However, the Slovenian made up time on the brutal climb to the finish line and ultimately crossed the line at 51:44, punching the air as he went 17sec faster than Ganna to extend his overall lead and retain the maglia rosa.

The American Magnus Sheffield (Ineos) was third-fastest, 49sec off the lead, while his teammate Geraint Thomas – who was second in the general classification at the start of the stage – struggled to make his mark and finished two minutes slower than Pogacar in 10th.

As a result, Daniel Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) moved up to second in the overall standings – 2:36 behind – while Thomas dropped to third, a further 10sec back and admitted he “lacked it a bit”.

Pogacar once again looked in a class of his own as he blew away his rivals as he has done all season. “I started a bit with an easier pace and had to get used to the TT bike and then I paced myself until the climb and then went full gas so I’m super-happy with today,” the UAE Team Emirates rider said. “I knew the climb suited me and that was my advantage, especially as it was quite steep.”

Martínez finished eighth on the day and he and the other GC contenders will have to try to bounce back on Saturday in the tough 152km stage from Spoleto to Prati di Tivo.

Source: theguardian.com