Giro d'Italia: McNulty wins stage 15 in the sprint of a group of three

The trio had broken away from the rest of a large breakaway group on the last climb of the day, but rode solo towards the finish after several attacks. Everything came together again 800 metres before the finish, with McNulty proving to be the strongest sprinter.

The top 10 of the 15th stage

1. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) 5:13:39
2. Ben Healy (EF Education EasyPost) +0:00
3. Marco Frigo (Israel - Premier-Tech) +0:00
4. Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) +1:51
5. One Rubio (Movistar) + 1:51
6. Simone Velasco (Astana Qazqastan Team) +2:26
7. Andrea Pasqualon (Bahrain-Victorious) +2:26
8. Laurens Huys (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) +3:10
9. Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa) +4:13
10. Francois Bidard (Cofidis) +4:13

The stage winner spoke of an indescribable feeling. "The goal was to win a stage here. But then I got sick in the individual time trial," said the 25-year-old, seeing his hopes dwindle. "But everything worked out today. I wanted to ride away on the long climb because Ben is so strong," he explained his plan. But Healy went one better on the climb and McNulty was the hunter. Even Frigo, who was already behind at one point, came back several times. "I thought I had shaken Marco off, but when we started playing games, he came back again."

The 23-year-old Italian, on the other hand, found himself in a state of emotional chaos after the stage. "It feels like a glass half full, with both positive and negative feelings. I knew that the descent would give me another chance to come back and I played that card. You never give up on a stage like this."

Favourites fight for seconds

Among the favourites, who crossed the finish line more than six minutes later, another battle for seconds broke out in the finale. Primoz Roglic attacked 3.5 kilometres before the finish, Geraint Thomas (Inoes Grenadiers) and Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) were able to follow. Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe), however, was one of those who had been left behind in the meantime, but with the help of Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) he almost closed the gap in the very last metres and only lost two seconds.

Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) crossed the line a little later, but defended his pink jersey, as did Almeida the white jersey, Jonathan Milan (Bahrain-Victorious) the points jersey and Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa) the one for the best climber.

The overall standings after the 15th stage

1. Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) 61:38:06
2. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) +1:08
3. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +1:10
4. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +1:30
5. Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM) +1:50
6. Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) +2:36
7. Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) +3:02
8. Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco-AlUa) +3:40
9. Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) +3:55
10. Laurens De Plus (Ineos Grenadiers) +4:18

>> All results of the Giro d'Italia 2023 at a glance

>> Read up on the 15th stage in the live blog

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This is how the 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia went:

Shortly after the start of the stage at the gates of Milan, Ben Healy (EF Education EasyPost) with Simone Velasco (Astana Qazaqstan Team) on the rear wheel to form a group. A short time later they were joined by Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Alberto Dainese (Team DSM), Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar), Marco Frigo, Sebastian Berwick (both Israel - Premier-Tech), Laurens Huys, Niccolo Bonifazio (both Intermarche-Circus-Wanty), Francesco Gavazzi, Vicenzo Albanese (both Eolo-Kometa), Francois Bidard (Cofidis), Andrea Pasqualon (Bahrain-Victorious) and Davide Ballerini (Soudal - Quick Step), so that initially there were 15 riders in front.

At the foot of the ascent to the Valico di Valcava the winner of the 13th stageOne Rubio (Movistar) joined the breakaway and was the best in the overall standings, just over eleven minutes behind Armirail. The latter's fellow rider, Martin Marcellusi (Green Project - Bardiani CSF - Faizane), also joined him on the climb.

Healy and Rubio duel for mountain points

Once at the top - the peloton was more than six minutes behind - Healy and Rubio fought a duel for the 40 points for the mountain classification - with the Irishman coming out on top. It was already clear that the Maglia Azzurra would remain with Bais on the rest day.

On the flat, nothing changed in the constellation, only on the climb to Selvino (2nd category) first Dainese and then Marcellusi had to let go. The mountain classification was again won by Healy. Shortly afterwards in Miragolo San Salvatore (2nd category) it was the opposite picture: Rubio ahead of Healy.

Bonifazio opens final

After the first finish in Bergamo, the attacks began. Bonifazio was the first to attack 48 kilometres from the finish and rode into the last climb of the day, the Roncola Alta, with a one-minute lead. Frigo replaced Bonifazio as the leader on the climb, but McNulty and Healy quickly caught up.

McNulty attacked 34 kilometres before the finish, but this only prompted Healy to counterattack, which gave him a lead of almost half a minute. The Irishman rode solo over the summit, but McNulty caught up again on the descent 27 kilometres before the finish.

Thrilling final in Bergamo

And Frigo actually returned ten kilometres before the finish. And then got into the mix. After McNulty attacked at kilometre 7 before the finish, it was Frigo's turn, but he couldn't get away either. Then it was Healy who attacked again on the steep road into the historic centre of Bergamo. McNulty was able to hold on, but Frigo had to let go again.

But in the descent and on the last flat metres, the Italian was able to close the gap, which was up to 20 seconds, 800 metres before the line. Frigo went straight into the sprint, tore a small hole, but 150 metres before the finish his legs became heavy. McNulty passed him with Healy on his rear wheel and secured the victory.