THE PERFECTION OF ODD NUMBERS

The leading trio enter the final kilometre together, just before the Fontebranda Gate.Bernal is aware that a dash for the line is not his style, so he decides to stay in the wheels of his opponents. Alaphilippe, in contrast, knows that a sprint finish would be his forte, but he tries to keep up the pace, having just seen Van Der Poel attack on Le Tolfe.Van Der Poel kicks clear along the steepest section. Alaphilippe tries to chase back, but there is nothing he can do – just as there’s no way you can fight a hurricane or a seaquake. He has no choice but to watch him blast away up the stiff Via Santa Caterina, and there is too little time now to bridge across to him. Van Der Poel wins alone on the Piazza del Campo, 5” ahead of Alaphilippe, and 20” ahead of Bernal.