Giro d’Italia Stage 13: Elia Viviani ahead of Sam Bennett (+ video)

The Giro’s two-man sprint competition continued with Quick-Step Floors’ Elia Viviani back to winning ways. Bora-Hansgrohe’s Sam Bennett was, almost inevitably, second.

The 180km stage from Ferrara to Nervesa della Battaglia was flat with a short and easy climb in the finale and was always destined to deliver a sprint finish.

It was Viviani’s fourth Giro stage win and his third this year. He is the first Italian since Daniele Bennati in 2008 to win three stages at a single Giro.

"He's in winning ways again!"

Victory for @eliaviviani on Stage 13 #Giro101 pic.twitter.com/GSY1qMIhNB

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 18, 2018

The Italian now leads Bennett by 237 to 197 in the points competition.

Reacting to today’s win, he said: “It's amazing to be back after a few difficult days. This is what I needed and what my team deserved for the great job they have done. I had two or three bad days but I remained determined to keep the Maglia Ciclamino. Sport is made of dreams, good and bad moments.”

Overall leader Simon Yates finished in the peloton and the general classification is unchanged.