The Giro d'Italia standings after the first major mountain battle: Thomas returns to pink, Almeida and Roglic closely follow

Joao Almeida proved today on Monte Bondone that he is racing the Giro d'Italia to win it. The Portuguese rider of UAE Team Emirates was the most ambitious, put his teammate Jay Vine to pull very hard and launched an attack at the end that only Geraint Thomas could follow and left behind the favorite Primoz Roglic. The overall classification has changed in this clash.

Thus, in the overall, the Welshman of INEOS Grenadiers is the new leader, but with just a few seconds with Thomas and with something more with a Roglic who knew how to suffer and is still hooked to the general despite losing time on the road. A brave Eddie Dunbar held on well and is now fifth, close to Damiano Caruso.

Closing out the top 10 are Lennard Kämna, Bruno Armirail (great his defense of the pink, he will continue to drop places in the next mountain stages), Andreas Kenessund (the Norwegian continues to hold on). Behind, ninth and tenth, continue the two INEOS men Tymen Arensman and Laurens de Plus who today did not have to work at all. Hugh Carthy and Einer Rubio move up positions and are now close to the top 10 of the classification.

1. Geraint Thomas

2. Joao Almeida at 18".

3. Primoz Roglic at 29".

4. Damiano Caruso at 2'50".

5. Edward Dunbar at 3'03".

6. Lennard Kämna at 3'20".

7. Bruno Armirail at 3'22".

8. Andreas Leknessund at 3'30".

9. Thymen Arensman at 4'09".

10. Laurens de Plus at 4'32".