Plapp solos to stage win and Ulissi becomes first Italian to lead Giro in 4 years

CASTELRAIMONDO, Italy (AP) — Luke Plapp soloed to victory in the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia for the biggest win of his career while Italian veteran Diego Ulissi moved into the overall lead on Saturday.

“Crazy, crazy,” Plapp said with a smile immediately after his first victory in a Grand Tour.

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Plapp attacked from a breakaway with about 45 kilometers (28 miles) remaining and had about a minute’s advantage on the final climb of the day. The Australian rider then used his time trialling skills to hold off his chasers.

Plapp had plenty of time to celebrate, sitting up and lifting his arms out as he crossed the line 38 seconds ahead of Wilco Kelderman and Ulissi at the end of the tricky 97-kilometer (122-mile) route from Giulianova to Castelraimondo.

Ulissi faced an anxious wait to see whether it was enough to take the pink jersey from pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic and become the first Italian to lead the race since 2021.

He let out a loud yell of joy when it was confirmed to him, after Roglic and most of the rest of the peleton finished nearly five minutes off the pace.

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Ulissi, who had never previously led the Giro, has a 12-second advantage over compatriot Lorenzo Fortunato and is 17 seconds ahead of Roglic.

Even more special is that Ulissi will be in pink as his home race goes into his home region of Tuscany.

Sunday’s ninth stage includes a mini Strade Bianche on the white, gravel roads on the 181-kilometer route from Gubbio to Siena.

The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports