Brandon McNulty of UAE Team Emirates was victorious in a thrilling sprint finish to win stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia. McNulty’s sprinting skill was on display as he stormed by Ben Healy and Marco Frigo in the final 100 metres, but Bruno Armirail of Groupama-FDJ maintained his overall lead.
Brandon McNulty revealed his joy following the race, calling the victory “indescribable.” McNulty had to overcome Ben Healy’s second-place finish and a late effort from Marco Frigo, who almost missed out on a stage win. McNulty’s perseverance and calculated sprint took him to a well-deserved victory.
McNulty Executes Perfect Sprint to Seize Giro d’Italia Stage 15
The stage featured a group of 15 riders, including former stage winner Alberto Dainese, who built a significant advantage of over 6 minutes and 30 seconds. However, the trio of Healy, Frigo, and McNulty caught up with them in the latter part of the race, leaving no room for escape.
Despite losing time to Thomas, Bruno Armirail maintained his grip on the pink jersey. Armirail’s lead now stands at 1 minute and 8 seconds over Thomas, with Primoz Roglic closely trailing behind in third place. The battle for the overall victory promises to be fiercely contested in the upcoming stages.
The Giro d’Italia will take a rest day on Monday, providing the riders with a much-needed break before the challenging stage 16. The forthcoming leg will present a mountainous 203 km ride from Sabbio Chiese to Monte Bondone, featuring over 5,000 metres of climbing.
Is Cavendish retiring?
Meanwhile, speculation surrounding the future of Mark Cavendish has intensified. The British sprinter, who celebrated his 38th birthday during the race, has scheduled a news conference for Monday to explain his season plans. According to reports, Cavendish may announce his retirement from racing at the end of the current season.
In other news, Geraint Thomas and Primoz Roglic launched late attacks during stage 15, creating a gap and aiming to gain an advantage in the general classification. Despite their attempts, Armirail was able to minimise his time loss and maintain his lead in the race.
The Giro d’Italia has been plagued by bad weather, with heavy rain causing difficulties for the riders. Numerous crashes and illnesses have affected the peloton, leading to the withdrawal of several competitors, including race favourite Remco Evenepoel.
As the race enters a crucial phase, the final rest day allows riders to recover and strategize. The challenging mountainous terrain of Stage 16 might cause significant changes in the general classification, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the Giro d’Italia.
