Giulio Ciccone takes emotional breakaway win on Stage 15 as GC favourites take it easy at Giro d’Italia

Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) soloed clear on Stage 15 to deliver more home joy at the Italian Grand Tour. Good things clearly come to those who wait. A day after losing the maglia rosa, Ciccone delivered Trek Segafredo a first win of their own at the Giro d’Italia since his own last, three years previously.

Ciccone was overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line, with the 27-year-old over a minute-and-a-half ahead of his closest challenger Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious). Buitrago, the last rider left behind by Ciccone and the first to cross the line behind him, was himself a picture of emotion at the finish. Second place represents the best race result for the young Colombian since joining the WorldTour two years ago.

Ad/> The winning move came on the steep, low slopes of the final climb to Cogne. Ciccone, legs good, head better, hit out against the remains of the breakaway and soloed to a sumptuous victory. Giro d'ItaliaYates and Carapaz involved in 'clumsy' crash and big pile-up3 HOURS AGO Sunday’s profile had promised excitement in the second half, with three tasty categorised climbs on the menu.

After the fireworks that unfolded 24 hours prior, the heavyweights were content to take it easy. Hostilities were largely suspended in the general classification as Ineos Grenadiers, the team of the new maglia rosa, Richard Carapaz, made light work of bunch control. After their own high octane exertions on Saturday Bora Hansgrohe, for their part, seemed satisfied to roll into the rest day with no more blood spilled.