Olav Kooij won the 214km ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia, from Avezzano to Naples.

The long breakaway of the day, with Andrea Pietrobon and Mirco Maestri of Polti Kometa, was resumed 27 km from the finish line. Another small attacking group forms with Julian Alaphilippe and Ewen Costiou but the group reacts and closes. Then it's Jhonatan Narvaez's turn who is caught a few meters from the finish line. Here Kooij outmaneuvers Jonathan Milan and wins his first stage in a three-week race. Third was Juan Sebastian Molano who had an exceptional last man: Tadej Pogacar.

Of note is a fall, without consequences, for Geraint Thomas.

General classification unchanged in the top positions with Pogacar still in the pink jersey.

Tomorrow is the first day of rest, then the Giro will continue on Tuesday with the uphill finish in Cusano Mutri.

Arrival order:

1 KOOIJ Olav Team Visma | Lease a Bike 4:44:22

2 MILAN Jonathan Lidl - Trek ,,

3 MOLANO Juan Sebastián UAE Team Emirates ,,

4 DAINESE Alberto Tudor Pro Cycling Team,,

5 VAN POPPEL Danny BORA - hansgrohe ,,

6 MIHKELS Madis Intermarché - Wanty ,,

7 GROVES Kaden Alpecin - Deceuninck,,

8 VENDRAME Andrea Decathlon AG2R The World Team ,,

9 DANCERS Davide Astana Qazaqstan Team,,

10 KANTER Max Astana Qazaqstan Team ,,

General ranking:

1 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates

2 MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe BORA - hansgrohe 2:40

3 THOMAS Geraint INEOS Grenadiers 2:58

4 O'CONNOR Ben Decathlon AG2R The World Team 3:39

5 UIJTDEBROEKS Cian Team Visma | Lease a Bike 4:02

6 TIBERI Antonio Bahrain - Victorious 4:23

7 LUCKY Lorenzo Astana Qazaqstan Team 5:15

Photo Sprint Cycling