Jonathan Milan powers into third Giro d'Italia win on stage 13 - Aniolkowski and Bauhaus second and third

Lidl-Trek continue their amazing Giro d'Italia. Jonathan Milan had already proven to be the strongest sprinter in the race, and today in stage 13 he once again put this power on display to win another bunch sprint.

Stage 13 was the flattest day in the peloton. No climbing whatsoever, but instead only flat and simple roads through the Emilia-Romagna region. Understandibly, with good weather, only a few riders decided to go up the road. Andrea Pietrobon - who was close to victory on stage 5, and VG Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè duo Alessandro Tonelli and Manuele Tarozzi who finished first and second earlier this year in the first stage of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana from a breakaway.

However today the situation was not similar. The peloton was much stronger and well organized. Hence, Soudal - Quick-Step and Lidl-Trek comfortably controlled the group. But the peloton would not be riding easily for too long as the most dangerous section of the stage in terms of crosswinds began to make itself felt.

With 62 kilometers to go there were echelons in the peloton, with INEOS Grenadiers putting in a lot of effort to try and surprise. Briefly, it seemed to have some effect as a few sprinters including Jonathan Milan had been caught out in a second peloton. Most of the GC riders were in the front; eventually the wind calmed down and so the pace in the peloton slowed down, allowing the chasing groups to get back. The breakaway had been caught in the meantime.

With 30 kilometers to go Martin Marcellusi and Dries de Pooter. Eventually, only the Intermarché-Wanty remained in front, but he was caught with just under 9 kilometers to go. The sprint preparation then began.

It was chaotic and fast into Cento, but Lidl-Trek handled it perfectly with four riders into the final kilometer. Another textbook leadout from the American team. Fernando Gaviria launched a strong early sprint in an attempt to surprise and it was quite dangerous, but Milan grabbed the wheel of the Colombian and blasted off in the final meters, taking his third win of the race. Stanislaw Aniolkowski and Phil Bauhaus completed the podium.

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