Australian champion Luke Plapp delivered a stunning ride to third place on a relentless stage six of the Giro d’Italia.
On a day that didn’t see a breakaway form until more than halfway through the 180km stage, the 23-year-old displayed his talents to survive a charging peloton and battle for the victory in Rapolano Terme.
With tough terrain and three off-road sectors on the menu, a large fight for the breakaway was anticipated for stage six, and that proved to be the case, with Team Jayco AlUla constantly active as a series of moves came and went over the first 80km of racing.
Eventually a select group snapped the elastic and edged away from a chaotic peloton, with Plapp timing his jump across to the escapees perfectly. As the gap began to grow, Plapp found himself in the virtual race lead, but the peloton soon halted the breakaway’s progress at around the three-minute mark.
However, as the advantage began to tumble over the first two gravel sectors, Plapp pressed on the pedals and split the leading group, with only Julian Alaphilippe and Pelayo Sánchez able to follow the Australian’s pace.
The trio initially worked well together to re-establish a sizeable gap over the bunch and as the final punchy climb approached, the attacks began. Plapp was the first to make a move over a short and steep uncategorised ramp, but he was soon forced to respond as the counterattacks were launched.
As the flamme rouge approached it was clear the leading trio would duke it out for the victory, but knowing he was up against it in a sprint, Plapp did all he could as he powered to the finish, eventually crossing the line in third place at the end of a brutal stage.
Luke Plapp:
“That was an insane day. The race was out of control the whole race, it was ridiculous for the first 80km and then when it had control, I was able to jump. Then the three of us worked reasonable well to the finish, we played games a bit. I was half eyes on looking for time and then half on the stage, so I ended up riding a bit harder than the others and they were sort of playing it out, but in the end, I’m happy.
I felt really, really strong on the climbs, but those two are super punchy, so it was always going to be really hard to get away, especially on those short climbs, and I knew I wasn’t quicker than them in the sprint. I tried to actually go on the gravel climb a long way out, but they were able to stay with me, and I was just glad we worked reasonably well together.”
I knew they [UAE] were never going to let it go [the gap], you could see from the gaps they were keeping they weren’t willing to let the jersey go. I tried to be efficient and save a bit for tomorrow as well, but it was a good day, beautiful weather and it was a good day out there in the break.”
2024 Giro d’Italia – Stage 6:
1. Pelayo Sánchez 4:01:08
2. Julian Alaphilippe ST
3. Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) +0:01
Photo: Sprint Cycling
