Giro d'Italia stage 16: João Almeida wins as Geraint Thomas moves back into pink

After two weeks of waiting, fans were finally treated to a proper GC battle on today’s 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia. João Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates) emerged victorious atop the day’s final climb after beating Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) in a nail-biting two-up sprint for the line. Meanwhile, Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) - who was dropped by his two main rivals in the last 5km - finished third and 25 seconds in arrears.

“I’m super happy, this is a dream come true. After four years of being so close finally I got it,” said Almeida after the stage.

“My team was amazing, they did a really good job like always. I’d say it was the hardest stage so far. I took the risk to go for it in the end, if you don’t try you never know. I tried and I achieved it, so I’m very happy and so thankful to the team, my family and my girlfriend.”

A large breakaway stole the limelight for much of the stage, but by the time the race reached the final climb it was clear that the escapees' days were numbered. Jumbo-Visma led the peloton onto Monte Bondone, but as the climb steepened it was Almeida’s UAE teammates who mobbed the front and began setting a ferocious pace, catching the remnants of the day’s breakaway.

One by one riders were jettisoned from the rear of the front group, including race leader Bruno Amirail (Groupama-FDJ).

After an explosive effort from his teammate Jay Vine inside the last 8km, Almeida was left to his own devices. It was evident that the Portuguese was in great shape; he continued setting a fierce pace on the front before finally launching a stinging attack with 5.8km left to race.

Roglič’s remaining teammate Sepp Kuss tried in vain to reel the youngster back in, while Thomas bided his time and waited for his Slovenian rival to show a sign of weakness.

At 4.6km to go, Thomas sensed his opportunity and left Kuss and Roglič behind, bridging to Almeida comfortably. The pair then worked together to extend their gap over the chasers, which also included Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla).

By the time Thomas and Almeida flew under the flamme rouge, this gap had drifted out to 30 seconds. Roglič cut the gap slightly on the run-in, but he still conceded a sizeable, 25-second chunk to hi by the finish.

Thomas, after his efforts today, has taken back the maglia rosa and now leads the race by a margin of 18 seconds ahead of Almeida heading into stage 17. Roglič, meanwhile, occupies the third spot on the provisional podium, 29 seconds behind Thomas.

There’s then a big gap to Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) in fourth, with the Italian 2:50 down on Thomas. Dunbar completes the top-5 at 3:03 in arrears.