Pellizzari fourth on Blockhaus after paying big for following Vingegaard

Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) looked briefly as though he might make a real contest of it on Blockhaus — but after one kilometre beyond his limits, the Italian had to concede to Jonas Vingegaard's strength. Pellizzari, who ultimately finished fourth, reflected briefly after the stage.

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe made their intentions clear before the final climb by moving to the front of the peloton. When Vingegaard accelerated at 5.5 kilometres to go — after a superb lead-out from Davide Piganzoli and Sepp Kuss — Pellizzari was the only rider to follow.

"I know his accelerations are always incredibly strong," Pellizzari told CyclingPro.net after the stage. "Jonas made a very powerful move. I followed him, but I went over my limit — and that was that," said the 22-year-old, who was unable to hold on with 3.5 kilometres still to go.

He was quickly overhauled by Felix Gall, who finished 13 seconds behind winner Vingegaard, and then also by teammate Jai Hindley and Jayco AlUla's Ben O'Connor. The three of them crossed the line together.

For Pellizzari, Blockhaus has provided a clear set of lessons to carry into the next mountain stages. "Yes, absolutely," he said at the summit when asked.

In the general classification he now sits fifth, three seconds behind Hindley and just ahead of O'Connor. "I'm really happy with my performance and I'm looking forward to the mountains still to come," said O'Connor, who has experienced for himself what Pellizzari went through with Vingegaard — having faced the same feeling against Tadej Pogacar — in a brief post-stage reaction.