Associated PressKooij sprints to win 9th stage of Giro d'Italia on grand tour debut. Pogacar keeps overall lead
Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij won a bunch sprint for a stage victory on his grand tour debut while Tadej Pogacar maintained his considerable lead after the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday. Kooij, who rides for Visma-Lease a Bike, edged Jonathan Milan by half a wheel at the end of the 214-kilometer (133-mile) route from Avezzano to Napoli – the second longest day of this Giro. Juan Sebastian Molano was third.
BBCDutch sprinter Kooij wins Giro stage nine in Naples
Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij produces a perfectly-timed finish to win stage nine of the Giro d'Italia in Naples.
Associated PressGiro leader Tadej Pogacar wins his third stage in the first week
Tadej Pogacar's command of the Giro d’Italia earned him a third stage win on Saturday in just the first week. Pogacar was first to Prato di Tivo on the summit finish of the eighth stage, the hardest of the race so far. The Slovenian cyclist had time — and energy — to raise his arms in celebration as he crossed the line, edging out Daniel Martinez and Ben O’Connor in a sprint to add more seconds to his already considerable lead.
Associated PressPogacar blows away everyone on time trial to extend Giro lead to more than 2 minutes
It looks as though no one will stop Tadej Pogacar from winning the Giro d’Italia on his debut, despite there being two weeks left of the Italian grand tour. The Slovenian star extended his overall lead to 2 minutes, 36 seconds over Daniel Martinez, and 2:46 over Geraint Thomas, who had been second at the start of the day, 46 seconds behind Pogacar. “After the world championships last year, today was my first race on the TT bike again,” Pogacar said.