Geraint Thomas regains Giro d’Italia lead as João Almeida takes stage 16 win

Geraint Thomas reclaimed the Giro d’Italia pink jersey and sent a message to his main rival for the overall title, Primoz Roglic, with a commanding performance on the final claim of stage 16 on Tuesday.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider pulled away on the day’s final climb to Monte Bondone with João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), opening up a gap to Jumbo Visma’s Roglic. It was the Portuguese rider who won the race to the finish line, but Thomas now appears to be in pole position to claim overall victory this weekend.

Thomas reclaims the maglia rosa having lost it to Bruno Armirail on Saturday’s fourteenth stage, and leads Almeida by 18 seconds. Roglic is in third, 29 seconds behind the leader, with Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) a distant 2min 50sec behind Thomas in fourth. Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) drops to seventh overall.

More to follow