Sappada: Mitchelton-Scott's Simon Yates made it a hat-trick of wins in the Giro d'Italia, with the Briton winning the 15th stage to consolidate his overall lead as the race heads into its final week.
Briton Simon Yates edged ever closer to claiming the first Grand Tour victory for the Australian Mitchelton-Scott team.
Photo: AP
Yates set off on a solo attack with 17 kilometres remaining of the 176-kilometre stage through the Dolomites from Tolmezzo to Sappada. It was another gruelling leg that saw the riders continuously climbing and descending.
Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) edged out Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) for second to lead a group of five cyclists over the line, 41 seconds behind Yates, who is enjoying a superb race for the Australian team.
Yates extended his lead over defending champion Dumoulin to 2min, 11 sec. Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida) remained third, 2:28 behind.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider's break was designed to put more time into his lead over Dumoulin ahead of Tuesday's individual time trial, which world champion Dumoulin is favourite to win.
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After claiming the stage on top of Gran Sasso d'Italia last week, Yates said he would continue to attack because he needed minutes – not seconds – to stop Dumoulin taking the pink jersey in the time trial.
The Giro ends in Rome on May 27.
AAP
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