Visma | Lease a Bike make it clear they're going for three Giro jerseys after surprising Vingegaard move

Visma | Lease a Bike did an excellent piece of business in stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia, in the fight for no fewer than three jerseys. Jonas Vingegaard kept his pink leader’s jersey without any trouble, but also made a surprising move in the battle for the blue jersey. Davide Piganzoli can also keep dreaming of white after a scare in the finale.

First, Vingegaard, who is heading towards overall victory in the Giro with a lead of more than four minutes and four stage wins already in the bag. The Dane looked relaxed around stage 18, taking time to go through stage scenarios and answer questions about Tadej Pogačar.

After the stage, he cautiously ruled out any possible hunt for a fifth and sixth stage win in the Giro’s two decisive mountain stages. “We have to be careful as a team, tonight we will make a plan,” he said in the mixed zone.

Earlier, Vingegaard had already indicated that he might ease off a little now that overall Giro victory looks within reach, with the Tour de France also still on the calendar in July. Davide Piganzoli is also well placed in the youth classification, so Vingegaard would be happy to help him as well.

There was a brief scare for Piganzoli in the battle for white. The Italian lost ground in stage 18, and Vingegaard knew why. “It was a bunch sprint towards that climb and I think Davide was a bit too far back, because he had to do it on his own.”

“Sometimes that happens, but he came back and lost no time. He is still in a very good position and looks super strong,” said the Danish leader. Piganzoli’s deficit to Afonso Eulálio (Bahrain Victorious) in the fight for white therefore remains 2:17. Eulálio did crash in stage 18, but he didn't lose any time.

Alongside pink and white, there is another jersey to think about, because we easily forget that Vingegaard also holds the blue mountain jersey. Although he has not seemed bothered by the blue jersey so far, he did sprint for three mountain points on the Muro di Ca' del Poggio. “I was there and I have the mountain jersey, so why wouldn’t I take the points?”

The goals for the final part of the Giro are clear...