wellens

Belgian’s Tim Wellens enjoyed a red letter day on the Giro d’Italia on Thursday with his maiden Grand Tour stage win as Tom Dumoulins held onto the leader’s pink jersey.

The 25-year-old Wellens broke early and powered up the final 18 kilometre climb to Roccaraso to come home alone after the 157km sixth stage.

On the 2016 Giro’s first gentle taste of mountain air Dumoulin held off challengers for his pink jersey, finishing fourth.

Looking in good shape the Dutch rider took a fistful of seconds off some of the main contenders for outright victory like Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali, and Spanish duo Mikel Landa and Alejandro Valverde. – Agence France-Presse

- Advertisement -