Alberto Bettiol Claims Stage 13 Victory in Giro d’Italia with Afonso Eulalio Retaining Overall Lead
In an exhilarating display of endurance and strategy, Italian cyclist Alberto Bettiol secured his victory in Stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia, celebrated on Friday. This win holds especial significance as it comes five years after his previous stage victory, amidst an intense competition where Portugal’s Afonso Eulalio maintained a commanding presence at the top of the General Classification.
Bettiol, representing XDS Astana, showcased his prowess by launching an impressive attack at the pinnacle of the last climb, managing to break away from his competitor Andreas Leknessund, who rides for Uno-X Mobility. As they approached the Ungiasca summit, Bettiol surged ahead and began to distance himself from the Norwegian cyclist on the subsequent descent.
With a triumphant gesture, Bettiol raised his arms in celebration long before crossing the finish line, where he was greeted by his girlfriend, a native of Verbania, who embraced him in a moment of shared joy.
Reflecting on his achievement, Bettiol expressed, “Today, in theory, I won already before the start because I had all my family here and my second family because, of course, my girlfriend and all her family are from Verbania.” He conveyed his deep gratitude towards his loved ones who have supported him throughout his journey: “Having all of them, my brother, my father, my mom, and all my really, really few people that have always been around me, it was already, for me, a victory but winning like this is something I will bring forever with me.”
Leknessund managed to cross the finish line 26 seconds after Bettiol, capturing a solid second place, while Jasper Stuyven from Belgium, representing Soudal Quick-Step, clinched third after battling through a thrilling four-rider sprint. Eulalio, riding for Bahrain Victorious, led the main peloton, which finished a staggering 13 minutes behind the winner, yet still holds a 33-second advantage over Jonas Vingegaard, who is aiming for the top spot in the General Classification.
The stage unfolded with a group of 15 riders establishing a significant gap over the peloton during the 189-km trek from Alessandria. By the time they crested the initial climb with less than 25 km remaining, their lead had ballooned to over 11 minutes. The passionate pursuit of victory was palpable as four riders broke away during the challenging Ungiasca climb, leading to Bettiol’s decisive chase.
In recounting the race, Bettiol remarked, “I knew every single corner in the last 50 km because sometimes I train here. The fact that I knew the climb really helped me, and that’s how I won.” His intimate familiarity with the course proved invaluable in securing his triumph.
Looking ahead, Stage 14 promises to invigorate the competition further with a challenging 133-km mountain stage set to commence from Aosta to Pila, ensuring that the battle for the pink jersey intensifies.
