2023 Giro d’Italia: Stage 7 Results

Davide Bais of the Eolo-Kometa saved it all for the last 300m to attack his break companions and take the win atop Gran Sasso d’Italia in Stage 7 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia. There was no change in the G.C.

This was the first professional win for Davide Bais, even in his U23 and Junior career. He became the second Italian to win at Gran Sasso d’Italia after Marco Pantani (1999) in five stage finishes up there. He also took over from Thibaut Pinot in the lead of the King of the Mountains competition.

The Capua-Gran Sasso d’Italia (Campo Imperatore)  7th stage was slated as one of the toughest stages of the 2023 Giro d’Italia. Not only was it long at 218km, it also  includes 3900 metres of climbing, and the last 45 km were almost entirely uphill to the finish. Rainy conditions again plagued the riders throughout the stage.

With the first 70km mainly flat, attacks came early and often, with Magnus Cort Nielsen making several early attempts. Eventually, it was the quartet of Simone Petilli (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa), Henok Mulubrhan (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) and Karel Vacek (Team Corratec-Selle Italia) who were able to get away.

They opened a wide gap quickly, grabbing nearly a five minute lead with 200km still remaining. By the 100km mark, they had gained a lead of twelve minutes, making Petilli the virtual maglia rosa. Alas, the group’s lead started to erode as the uphill finish approached, dropping to 7’35” with 20km of road remaining. They were down to a trio by that point. Mulubrhan dropped back at some point.

With 10km to go, the peloton still looked relaxed, knowing there was to threat to the overall GC at this point.

Back at the front, Petilli made a little attack on his compatriots with 6km to go, but it didn’t really stick.

With 4km remaining, the trio was above the snow line and still enjoyed a 6’14” lead. Petilli and Bass kicked up the pace. Vacek initially looked to be out of gas, but he dug in and took a little turn at the front.

Back in no man’s land, Thomas Champion (COF) attacked the peloton and opened a tiny gap.

Walls of snow rose up on both sides of the road now.

In the last kilometer, it looked to be a battle between Vacek and Petilli, but with 300m to go, it was Bais that made the move. It looked like he was saving it all for the end.

Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Davide Bais said: “The last few kilometres have been very nice to me. I’ve tried to keep my two breakaway companions with me. Coming close to the finish, I believed more and more that I could win. I knew I was the fastest of the three. I’m happy. I didn’t raise my hands up in the air before I crossed the line and I was sure to have won. I don’t know if this win changes my life but I enjoy it for sure. I don’t know if I’ll win the Maglia Azzurra but I’ll try!”

The Maglia Rosa Andreas Leknessund said: “I didn’t expect to retain the Maglia Rosa but I believed it was possible. I was really motivated to fight. The way the race unfolded and the very good job of my team were a great help all day. We made sure the breakaway maintained enough gap to win the stage so it’s been a nice day for the team. We made it a perfect day. We didn’t have to work really hard though. It was an easier day than expected, I don’t know why. I expected the last climb to be harder, but it was a long day with the wind and not many teams wanted to take the headwind early. There was no bonus left, that was also nice for us. Maybe the cold made bunch relaxed. Being from Norway, I enjoyed the snow on the last climb. It’s another day in pink. Tomorrow it’ll be hard but possible to stay in the lead. Then, Remco [Evenepoel] is only 28’’ behind, so in the TT for sure it would be a huge surprise if I could keep it. Sunday will most likely be my last day in the Maglia Rosa.”

Stage 7 Brief Results:

1. David Bais (EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM) at 6h8’40”
2. Karel Vacek (CORRATEC SELLE ITALIA) at 9″
3. Simone Petilli (INTERMARCHE’ – CIRCUS – WANTY) at 16″
4. Remco Evenepoel (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP) at 3’10”
5. Primoz Roglic (JUMBO-VISMA) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 7:

1. Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)
2. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) at 28″
3. Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroën Team) at 30″

Jerseys:

• Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)
• Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Agenzia ICE with the brand Madeinitaly.gov.it – Jonathan Milan (Bahrain – Victorious)
• Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team)
• Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)