Stage 13 | Reggio Emilia to Tortona | Giro d’Italia 2017

Stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia was completely flat and was always likely to end in a sprint and so it proved, although the wind threatened to make for a nervous afternoon.

In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe discuss Fernando Gaviria’s fourth and best Giro stage win, and attempt to explain the nuances of the breakaways.

We also hear from Stefano Zanatta, directeur sportif of the Bardiani team that has lost Stefano Pirazzi and Nicola Ruffoni after positive doping tests before the race.

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas has left the race because of an injured knee following his crash on the road to Blockhaus and we hear from Sky’s Dave Brailsford about the decision not to go any further.

And, as we are deep in Fausto Coppi’s country, we remember the Italian legend who won the Giro five times and died in 1960 at the age of 40.

Finally, we look ahead to Saturday’s stage to Oropa, where the battle for the pink jersey will resume.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science in Sport.