Groupama-FDJ propel Demare to thrilling victory on Stage 5 as Cavendish dropped

An enthralling fifth stage in Sicily saw favourites Mark Cavendish (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) distanced on an early climb before France’s Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) powered to victory in Messina.

Demare, who fought back into contention after being dropped on the same climb, held off Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) in a tight finish after the Colombian appeared to be hampered by a gearing issue on the home straight.

Italy’s Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) took third place ahead of compatriot Davide Ballerini, the only Quick-Step rider who had not dropped back to try and nurse Cavendish, the Stage 3 winner, back into the fold.

Demare’s victory was the sixth of his career in the Giro and saw him move ahead Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) in the maglia ciclamino standings after the Eritrean rider was forced to settle for fifth place after being boxed in by the barriers.

Spain’s Juan Pedro Lopez (Trek-Segafredo) finished safely in the pack to retain the maglia rosa before the race heads across the Strait of Messina and onto the Italian mainland ahead of Stage 6.

More to follow…

– – –