GIRO D’ITALIA / In Naples Kooij wins in the sprint ahead of Milan, Molano and Dainese. Rest Monday.

The longest stage of the 214km tour from Avezzano to Naples saw a super sprint by Kooij in Milan’s cyclamen jersey.

After the efforts of the last two stages the riders faced this ninth stage with calm, so the Italians took advantage of it Maestri and Pietrobonof the Polti team, who were on the run all day and had to raise the white flag 25 km from the finish line.

Then the French Alaphilippe he tried to escape from the group without positive feedback, as well as Narvaez which was caught just 150 meters from the finish line.

The sprint was long and exciting between the Visma winner and the Lidl sprinter.

Then on the straight of via Petrarca, in Naples, success for Kooij ahead of Milan, Molano and Dainese.

57 km from the finish line Ineos captain Thomas fell, but within a few kilometers he managed to rejoin the group with the help of two teammates.

The General Ranking, therefore, remains unchanged with Pogacar undisputed leader with 2’40” over Martinez, 2’58” over Thomas, 3’39” over O Connor, 4’02” over Uijtdebroeks, 4’23” over Tiberi and 5’15” over Fortunato.

Monday 13 May first day of rest after a week of absolute domination by the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar; applause to our Tiberi and Fortunato in an excellent position in the general classification and in Milan, master of the cyclamen shirt with one victory and two second places.

After the rest more mountain with theuphill arrival at 1,392 meters in Cusano Mutri after 142 kilometers.

by ALBERTO SQUERI