Irish rookie Ben Healy survived a 52km breakaway to win in Stage 8 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia. It is the first Giro win for the EF Education-Easy Post rider. Roglic, Thomas and Geoghegan reclaim 14” on Evenepoel on the eve of the second individual time trial.
After missing out on his goal to wear the Maglia Rosa in the first week, the revelation of the Spring Classics Ben Healy bounced back as a stage winner after a long solo effort. His former breakaway companions Derek Gee and Filippo Zana rounded out the stage podium while it was an action packed end of stage 8 for GC as Primoz Roglic rode Remco Evenepoel off on the second ascent to I Cappuccini. Tao Geoghegan Hart and Geraint Thomas came across to the Slovenian to cross the line 14 seconds before the Belgian and 34 seconds ahead of Andreas Leknessund who retained the Maglia Rosa by a mere eight seconds.
Speaking in the press conference, Healy said: “I’ve ridden strongly since the start of the season. Honestly it was a bit of a gamble to come to the Giro after a small break but I came super fresh. I’m not quite at the level I was in in the Ardennes classics but I had very good legs today. I missed out on my first goal which was to win stage 4 and take the Maglia Rosa. Sometimes I get too excited and I need to kind of sit back and reset. It helped me for today. I had put a cross on this stage on the Garibaldi [the road book]. After I broke away solo, I tried to pace well. I went into the last climb with two minutes lead and the crowd helped me tremendously up there. I’ve always enjoyed racing in Italy. I needed to be alone. If you ride solo, the victory is guaranteed. That’s always what I want to do.”
The Maglia Rosa Andreas Leknessund said: “I didn’t know what scenario to expect today. It went pretty well. On the last climb I really suffered towards the top, but I’m really happy I kept jersey and the way I kept it. If I’m to lose it tomorrow, I’m glad that I’ve given one last nice fight. Maybe I could have stayed with Remco from the bottom to the top of the climb. I had to give it all out there and I did. I have no regrets about today. It was nice to dig deep like I did, I’m really happy. So far it’s been a Giro for breakaways. It’s what I like but being in the Maglia Rosa, I wasn’t able to go. I’d like to win a stage. I’m not thinking of GC right now.”
Stage 8 Brief Results:
- Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post) – 207 km in 4h’44’24”, average speed 43.671 km/h
- Derek Gee (Israel – Premier Tech) at 1’49”
- Filippo Zana (Team Jayco AlUla) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 8:
- Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) at 8″
- Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) at 38″
Jerseys:
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Agenzia ICE with the brand Madeinitaly.gov.it – Jonathan Milan (Bahrain – Victorious)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM) – worn by Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain – Victorious)
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