Giro d’Italia 2023: Nico Denz doubles up on Stage 14, Ineos let Bruno Armirail take pink from Geraint Thomas

Nico Denz (Bora-hansgrohe) doubled up at the Giro d’Italia after pulling off an incredible win on Stage 14, while Bruno Armirail (Groupama–FDJ) sailed into the maglia rosa as Ineos Grenadiers chose to give it away. The German, who also won Stage 12, hauled a five-strong chase group into contention in the finale, joining the leading trio of Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Davide Ballerini (Soudal Quick-Step) and Tom Skujins (Trek–Segafredo) inside the last kilometre.

With weary legs around him, Denz pushed on and took a tight victory ahead of Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech), who was denied again. Ad The stage offered the riders brief respite from the brutal conditions which have beset this Giro, beginning in glorious Swiss sunshine in the canton of Vallais.

The straightforward course profile had all the hallmarks of a big breakaway victory, and it was no surprise that the battle to escape the peloton's clutches began in earnest the moment the race director dropped his flag. Apart from the main GC contenders, every team had an interest in making the break, but it was Laurenz Rex (Intermarche-Wanty Gobert) who proved most invested and offered a carrot for others.

Attacks came in flurries from strong riders such as Larry Warbasse (AG2R Citroen), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Davide Ballerini (Soudal QuickStep). Wide roads meant anyone who wanted to get involved could at least try, as there was no shutting down the attempts to buy a lottery ticket for the stage win.