The Italian was denied on home turf as teammate James Knox conceded time due to a late crash in a day to forget for our team.
Minutes after becoming the first Italian Champion in three years to celebrate a victory at the Corsa Rosa, Elia Viviani was informed by the race jury that he won’t be going to the podium. The win was instead given to Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates), following what the jury considered to be dangerous sprinting from the 30-year-old Deceuninck – Quick-Step rider.
“I am completely disappointed by this decision. Yesterday I made a mistake in the final and today was focused on doing my best. As you could see all the other sprinters crossed the line behind me. The team did an amazing job and I am extremely proud of them. There was a strong headwind, so that’s why I started my sprint late. I was really happy to have taken the win, but then this decision came and all I can do now is focus on the next sprint I and take this jersey to the top of a stage classification”, Elia said after Monday’s stage.
It wasn’t the only setback for Deceuninck – Quick-Step, as James Knox – who up until the final kilometers worked hard for the team at the front together with fellow Grand Tour debutant Mikkel Honoré and Pieter Serry – crashed and lost time, arriving at the finish two minutes behind the main group. The only solace for the team after Monday’s stage is that Luxembourg Champion Bob Jungels is now close to making his way into the top 10 overall, after gaining two positions in the general classification and moving up to 11th.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele/ Getty Images
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