Nico Denz won the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia, from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno, 144 km.

Quiet stage for the men in the general classification, a very large breakaway with over 30 riders goes away, including Mads Pedersen, Kaden Groves and Wout Van Aert who immediately takes a big lead. However, the group of escapees splits and eleven remain in front: the favorites of the day are absent, the Italians Davide De Pretto, Filippo Magli, Nicola Conci and Mirco Maestri also remain to play for the victory.

But the best is Denz, already winner of two stages at the Giro in 2023, who manages to gain an advantage and reach the finish line alone, thus giving a smile also to Red Bull Bora hansgrohe deprived of Primoz Roglic and Jay Hindley.

At the finish line Denz precedes Maestri and Edward Planckaert by one minute. The pink jersey group is over 10 minutes behind. Nothing changes in the top positions of the general classification, awaiting the last two mountain stages: starting tomorrow with the finish in Champoluc.

Order of arrival:

1 DENZ Nico Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 3:12:07

2 MASTERS Mirco Team Polti VisitMalta 1:01

3 PLANCKAERT Edward Alpecin - Deceuninck,,

4 MAGLI Filippo VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè ,,

5 EDMONDSON Alex Team Picnic PostNL ,,

6 DE BONDT Dries Decathlon AG2R The World Team ,,

7 HOOLE Daan Lidl - Trek ,,

8 DE PRETTO Davide Team Jayco AlUla,,

9 CONCI Nicola XDS Astana Team ,,

10 WARBASSE Larry Tudor Pro Cycling Team,,

General classification:

1 DEL TORO Isaac UAE Team Emirates - XRG

2 CARAPAZ Richard EF Education - EasyPost 0:41

3 YATES Simon Team Visma | Lease a Bike 0:51

4 GEE Derek Israel - Premier Tech 1:57

5 CARUSO Damiano Bahrain - Victorious 3:06

6 BERNAL Egan INEOS Grenadiers 4:43

7 PELLIZZARI Giulio Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 5:02

8 RUBIO Einer Movistar Team 6:09

9 YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates - XRG 7:45

10 STORER Michael Tudor Pro Cycling Team 7:46

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