BRUSSELS - Italian sprinter Alberto Dainese won a photo finish at the end of stage 17 of the Tour of Italy. His compatriot, Jonathan Milan, again finished second. British Geraint Thomas retained the overall lead.

 After a heavy mountain stage and before three ditto stages in the Dolomites, Wednesday’s stage was to be a ceasefire between the general contenders. In fact, stage 17 from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle did not feature a single climb. Moreover, its first 100 km were slightly descending. This stage would be ideal for a mass finish.

 With only two flat stages to go, several teams tried to avoid a successful breakaway and have their sprinter win this stage. Movistar and Astana especially controlled the stage: their sprinters, respectively Colombian Fernando Gaviria and British Marc Cavendish, have still not won during the course of this Giro.

 In an elongated sprint in the streets of Caorle several teams worked hard to launch their sprinter. Finally, Italian Alberto Dainese edged his compatriot Jonathan Milan and Australian Michael Matthews.

 Twenty two year-old Milan has already won a stage in this Giro and has finished second four times. Milan is currently leading the Points classification by a large margin.

 Stage 17 did not bring any changes to the general classification.

The general classification (top 10) after stage 17:

1. Geraint Thomas (GBR) INEOS Grenadiers

2. João Almeida (PRT) UAE Team Emirates 0’18”

3. Primož Roglič (SVN) Jumbo-Visma 0’29”

4. Damiano Caruso (ITA) Bahrain – Victorious 2’50”

5. Eddie Dunbar (IRL) Team Jayco AlUla 3’03”

6. Lennard Kämna (DEU) BORA – Hansgrohe 3’20”

7. Bruno Armirail (FRA) Groupama – FDJ 3’22”

8. Andreas Leknessund (NOR) Team DSM 3’30”

9. Thymen Arensman (NLD) INEOS Grenadiers 4’09”

10. Laurens De Plus (BEL) INEOS Grenadiers 4’32”

 md-eb