Andreas Leknessund managed to stay in the top ten of the General Classification at the Giro d’Italia after Tuesday’s monster summit finish atop the Monte Bondone, where he finished in 14th place.
The 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia started in Sabbio Chiese, after which the peloton rode alongside Lake Garda to a summit finish atop the Monte Bondone on a 203 kilometre parcours. A small crash at the start of the race resulted in the bunch being splintered into two different groups with our Team DSM riders unfortunately caught up behind the crash in the second group. With the team pushing hard, they brought back Leknessund to the first group. Subsequently, a group of 25 riders managed to successfully break free.
When the race headed into the last 60 kilometres, the pace increased in the reduced peloton, but Leknessund stayed calm and focused. Within the finale, other teams set the pace as several riders started to drop quickly at the bottom of the last climb, the Monte Bondone. At the ten kilometre mark, the breakaway was caught. As the group of favourites became the front of the race, six riders accelerated again and went clear. Joao Almeida took the win atop the Monte Bondone, while Leknessund fought to a strong 14th position, pushing all the way to the line.
Leknessund’s massive effort on the day means he stays in the top ten of the GC, holding onto 8th place ahead of Wednesday’s stage.
