Giro d'Italia 2024 stage 18 GC Update: Another day ticked off for Tadej Pogacar towards inevitable Maglia Rosa victory

Stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia 2024 was intended to be a transition day before the arrival of the last two mountain challenges and as expected, the victory was decided in a bunch sprint, with Tim Merlier narrowly edging Jonathan Milan in the finale.

Therefore, the Top 10 of the overall classification remains intact ahead of the final showdown in the coming days. Although the drama for the race win is all but over, with Tadej Pogacar only having to worry about finishing the stages given his mammoth, near eight-minute advantage in the general classification over second-placed Daniel Martinez, there will still be much to fight for behind the UAE Team Emirates leader.

The battle between Martinez and Geraint Thomas for 2nd place will be the main attraction on Friday and Saturday. The BORA - hansgrohe rider snatched the place from the INEOS Grenadiers rider last Tuesday, whilst on Wednesday, the Colombian was able to finish strong enough for Thomas not to surprise him on the final climb up the Passo Brocon.

Antonio Tiberi has the chance to continue to complete an outstanding Giro d'Italia. In addition to currently leading the youth classification, although Thymen Arensman is still in the fight after surviving a late mechanical, Tiberi will still have hopes of overtaking Ben O'Connor in the fight for 4th place. Einer Rubio will also have his work cut out for Movistar Team. The Colombian must be ambitious to overtake Romain Bardet in 7th place. Filippo Zana (9th) and Jan Hirt (10th) will race on Friday and Saturday looking to finish inside the Top 10 in the overall classification.