2023 Giro d’Italia: Stage 9 Results

Remco Evenepoel claimed his second individual time trial victory at the 2023 Giro d’Italia, just barely besting Geraint Thomas (1’’), Tao Geoghegan Hart (2’’) and Stefan Küng (4’’) in the 35km course between between Savignano sul Rubicone and Cesena (Technogym Village). He moved back in the Maglia Rosa with an advantage of 45’’ over Thomas, 47’’ over Primoz Roglic and 50’’ over Geoghegan Hart, making it a top 4 of only Grand Tour overall winners before the first rest day. Previous leader Andreas Leknessund now sits in sixth position with a deficit of 1’07’’.

It was a hard-fought win for the 23-year-old, on a rain-soaked and pan-flat course, which featured some tricky corners and even cobblestones, that only added to the difficulty of the day. But Evenepoel, victorious also on the opening time trial of the race, produced a strong performance in spite of the conditions, averaging over 50.7km/h and stopping the clock in 41:24, a time which netted him the stage win by a single second.

“It feels good to beat some of the best riders in the world and have two victories going into the second week of the race. What made things even more special was that I did it on Mother’s Day and my whole family here. It was nice to get their support and see them at the finish. It wasn’t easy today with the rain and the cold temperatures, but I’m happy I could pull it off”, said Evenepoel, the only rider with two victories so far at this Giro, after retaking the maglia rosa.

“In the first part of the time trial I paced myself a bit too hard, and then, in the headwind, my legs didn’t turn as fast as in those opening kilometers. I could also feel the damage from the crashes of this week, and in the end it was quite tight, but I’m delighted I could prevail and claim this beautiful pink jersey. It’s nice to have an advantage in the GC before the mountains and I will try to enjoy every moment in the maglia rosa, but for the moment I’m looking forward to recovering on the first rest day before seeing what the next stages have in store”, added Remco, the first Belgian rider in 22 years to amass four days as leader of the Corsa Rosa.

Stage 9 Brief Results:

1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – 35 km in 41’24″, average speed 50.725 km/h
2. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 1″
3. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) at 2″.

General Classification after Stage 9:

1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
2. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 45″
3. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) at 47″
4. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) at 50″
5. João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 1’07”

Jerseys:

• Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
• 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 – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – worn by Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)

Ron

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