Almeida left disappointed as Ulissi claims second stage win

DIEGO ULISSI edged a thrilling climax to claim victory in stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia, with Joao Almeida close behind as he increased his overall lead.

Ulissi, representing Team UAE Emirates, powered for the line at the end of a 192- kilometre ride between Cervia and Monselice to get the better of Almeida ( DeceuninckQuickStep) and Patrick Konrad ( Bora- Hansgrohe).

It was the 31- year- old’s second stage win on this year’s race and the eighth Giro success of his career. It was an equally profitable outing for Almeida in the Maglia Rosa, who picked up six bonus seconds for his finishing spot and now boasts a 40s lead over Wilco Kelderman and 49s over Pello Bilbao.

He was holding himself to a high standard, though, saying afterwards: “I am a bit disappointed with my second place, I wanted a stage win. I was really close but not close enough.

“The goal was the stage win, the seconds is just a bonus. After the descent, the group was quite small.

“I saw three guys with me and I know I can be fast in small groups, so we tried. The team really deserve to have won but Ulissi was fastest.”

Reflecting on his win, Ulissi added: “We did a great job on the final climb to break away from the sprinters and arrive in a small group. We knew that if we could keep them away we would have a chance to fight for the sprint. I have to thank the whole team who set this up perfectly.”

Earlier, race director Mauro Vegni had responded to Thursday’s controversial suggestion from the EF Education First team that the race be brought to an early conclusion on Sunday due to the growing threat of coronavirus.

“The situation is under control completely. I’ve always said that I want to go to Milan,” he said.

“With this point of view, nobody has told me this won’t be possible. There’s no evidence we shouldn’t go to Milan.”