VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè clinched an important result in Stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia, the 144 km Morbegno–Cesano Maderno stage. Filippo Magli came close to the podium in the sprint from the chase group behind Nico Denz. This marks the team’s seventh Top 10 finish in this Giro.

“With 200 meters to go, I was around tenth position, but luckily my legs responded well. I managed to come back and finish fourth. I’m really happy with this result, both personally and for the team. Even though we haven’t taken a stage win yet in this Giro, we’ve always made ourselves visible and been part of the key moves— and that’s what matters. The race isn’t over yet, but as far as I’m concerned, I can already be satisfied.”

Also present in the decisive breakaway were Manuele Tarozzi and Martin Marcellusi, who placed 1st and 2nd respectively at the Red Bull KM intermediate sprint. Tarozzi, from Faenza, currently leads this special classification with 45 points, followed by Del Toro and Scaroni.

RESULTS – 18th STAGE – GIRO D’ITALIA:

1. Nico Denz (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) in 3h12’07”

2. Mirco Maestri (Polti VisitMalta) a 1’01”

3. Edward Planckaert (Alpecin-Deceuninck) s.t.

4. Filippo Magli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) s.t.

5. Alexander Edmondson (Picnic PostNL) s.t.

6. Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) s.t.

7. Daan Hoole (Lidl Trek) s.t.

8. Davide De Pretto (Jayco AlUla) s.t.

9. Nicola Conci (XDS Astana) s.t.

10. Larry Warbasse (Tudor) s.t.