SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA, Italy – Esteban Chaves secured an emotional victory on the 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Friday, and Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz remained in the overall lead.
Chaves earned his first win since being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus while competing in last year’s Giro and taking eight months off from racing.
“This is pure happiness,” Chaves said. “It takes a heavy weight off my back. It’s a relief to be a winner again. It shows I can do it.”
Chaves, a Colombian who rides for Mitchelton-Scott, crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of Italian cyclist Andrea Vendrame, who had two mechanical failures in the final 2½ miles of the uphill finish to San Martino di Castrozza.
Amaro Antunes was third, 12 seconds behind Chaves at the end of the 93-mile route from Treviso.
The trio had been part of an 11-man breakaway that escaped early in the stage and Chaves whittled down with a series of attacks on the final climb.
“Because the last climb wasn’t very steep, I had to attack many, many times,” Chaves said. “A big thank you to everyone who supported me when I had a hard time.”
Carapaz remained 1 minute, 54 seconds ahead of Vincenzo Nibali and 2:16 ahead of Primoz Roglic of Slovenia.
“It’s another good day for us and we’re looking forward to tomorrow,” Carapaz said. “We’re ready to defend the Maglia Rosa in a harder stage than today.”
Meanwhile, Durango’s Sepp Kuss, a Team Jumbo-Visma support rider for Roglic, finished 51st on Friday’s stage, 11:02 behind Chaves’ time. He sits 57th overall, 1:49:02 behind Carpaz as he closed in on his second Grand Tour finish of his young career at only age 24. He is 14th in the best young rider rankings.
The penultimate stage Saturday is the last chance Carapaz’s rivals have to gain significant time on the Movistar cyclist ahead of the final time trial in Verona on Sunday.
The 20th stage is the last mountain leg, with five long, categorized climbs in the Dolomites along the 120-mile route from Feltre to Croce d’Aune-Monte Avena.
The Durango Herald contributed to this report.
