Cycling: Kämna falls back slightly in the Giro – Evenepoel is weakening

Lennard Kämna had to accept a small setback in the first spectacular climbing duel of the favorites of the 106th Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old lost time on the 207-kilometer eighth stage to stars Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel when he ran out of energy during an attack on the final climb.

In the overall standings, the man from Bremen is tenth, 1:54 minutes behind leader Andreas Leknessund from Norway. Belgium’s Evenepoel is second, eight seconds behind, while Roglic of Slovenia is third, another 30 seconds back. The day’s victory in Fossombrone was secured by the Irish classics specialist Ben Healy, who had attacked from a leading group with 50 kilometers to go.

Kämna satisfied with form

“I was a bit overexcited (too enthusiastic, ed.) myself in the last ten kilometers because I felt really good and I went into the mountain too quickly. I thought today would be a good day for me, In the end, unfortunately, I paid tribute and lost time instead of gaining some,” said Kämna. He is still “happy with the form” and it is still a long time.

Roglic attacked on the short but up to 19 percent steep hill I Cappuccini about six kilometers from the finish. Kämna followed first, but was then passed through. World champion Evenepoel, on the other hand, had almost reached Roglic, but then showed his first weakness at this year’s Giro. In the end, the 23-year-old lost 14 seconds to Roglic.

The first major individual time trial is on the program on Sunday. The 35-kilometer course from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena should actually be in Kämna. Two-time world time trial champion Filippo Ganna will be missing a stage win contender. The Italian had to retire from the race due to a Covid illness on Saturday. It was the fourth corona case of the current race.