BORA-hansgrohe Team (Italy) – The final stage of the Giro d’Italia ended with another impressive stage win of BORA – hansgrohe sprinter Sam Bennett. The pace increased on the last two laps and on the final lap the reduced bunch was back together and the excepted bunch sprint was set up. BORA – hansgrohe did again a stellar job and brought Sam Bennett in a perfect position. The Irish sprinter increased the pace and overtook E. Viviani to take his third stage win in an impressive way. His third stage win completes a successful Grand Tour for the German Team.

The Stage:
The final stage of the Giro d’Italia took place in the heart of the Italian capital. The peloton had to cover 10 loops of an 11.5km circuit through the streets of Rome.

The Team Tactics:
The 21ststage favoured the sprinters in the peloton, and with Sam Bennett, who won two stages in this edition of the Giro d’Italia, the team wanted to go for the third stage victory with the fast Irish man.

The Race:
After some discussions about the route the Jury decided to neutralise the first two laps, therefore it was a calm start in this final stage. In the third lap some riders, including BORA – hansgrohe rider Andreas Schillinger attacked and built a small gap over the main bunch. With 4 laps until the finish the race split in several groups, Andreas Schillinger still in the front of the race and his teammates were all together in the first group behind the breakaway. As expected the race was back together with 3km to go and the BORA - hansgrohe guys formed a strong lead out for their sprinter SamBennett. The Irish sprinter increased the pace and overtook E.Viviani to take his third stage win in an impressive way. His third stage win completes a successful Grand Tour for the German Team. BORA – hansgrohe finished this first Grand tour of the season with three stage victories and two riders in the top ten Overall ranking.

Results:

1. S. Bennett
2. E. Viviani
3. J.P. Drucker

From the Finish Line:
“Our goal was a top ten result in the overall ranking and one stage win, now we will leave this Giro d’Italia with two riders in the top ten, three stage victories and a plenty of podium results. We exceeded our goals, which makes me really happy and proud. The whole team worked the last couple of weeks perfectly together, the riders, the whole staff and the two sports director, Christian Pömer and Jens Zemke did a stellar job.” – Ralph Denk, Team Manager

“I woke up not feeling so good today, my legs were tired and I wasn’t sure if I could go for the sprint. The race course was really difficult and I couldn’t take my hands off the bike due to the cobblestones during the race i felt better as the pace increased and once again it was a great team effort. The boys worked so hard for me, closed the gap and did a strong lead-out. Without them the victory wouldn’t have been possible.” – Sam Bennett

“An incredible stage, so many spectators at this historical surrounding. The course was so difficult; therefore the jury made the right decision to cut the laps. With a fully motivated team we wanted to bring Sam again in a good position and he did again a great sprint. So far it was our greatest Grand Tour.” Jens Zemke, sportlicher Leiter.