Giro d'Italia Stage 8: Gorka Izagirre wins for Movistar

Gorka Izagirre of Movistar has won a what proved to be a thrilling stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia in Peschici this afternoon, one of four riders from the break who were contesting the win at the end of the stage on the Gargagno peninsula.

Coming into the final five kilometres, four riders were at the head of the race, and the group was a strong one, too - Bahrain Merida's Giovanni Viscontii, Luis Leon Sanchez of Astana, Movistar's Izagirre and Valerio Conti of UAE Team Emirates, who had earlier initiated the move that split what had been a big breakaway group.

In a tough finale, there was heartbreak for Conti as his bike slid from beneath him on a hairpin bend on the climb to the finish inside the final kilometre and it was Izagirre who rode away to victory and join his brother Ion as a Grand Tour stage winner, with Visconti second and Sanchez third.

Izagirre said: "“The stage was very hard. I took the breakaway. The average speed was very high. Visconti was probably the most dangerous rival for the stage victory in the front group. I'm very happy that I won. I got an opportunity and I'm glad I didn't miss it.”

Team Sky's Mikel Landa, who began the day just 10 seconds off the race lead, jumped off the front of the overall contenders' group on an uncategorised climb with around 9 kilometres remaining.

With FDJ leading the chase, however, the Basque rider's attack was shut down with 4 kilometres remaining of the 189-kilometre stage from Molfetta.

The top of the general classification remains unchanged, with Bob Jungels of Quick Step Floors retaining the overall lead ahead of Team Sky's Geraint Thomas, six seconds back, with Orica-Scott's Adam Yates third a further four seconds behind.

Jungels commented: “I didn't really expect Mikel Landa to attack but I think it was a move to challenge the other teams.

"But there was still a long way to go till the finish line. I crashed in a downhill with about 35km to go. I just didn't pay attention and I hit the wheel of a team-mate but it was no problem.

"We knew it would be a hard start but nobody expected such a competitive stage. It was quite entertaining watch I presume and it ended well for us.”