Giro d'Italia: Ben O'Connor wins stage 17 atop Madonna di Campiglio

Laura@cyclingnews.com
·2-min read
SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI ITALY OCTOBER 20 Arrival Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Disappointment during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 16 a 229km stage from Udine to San Daniele Del Friuli 249m girodiitalia Giro on October 20 2020 in San Daniele Del Friuli Italy Photo by Stuart FranklinGetty Images
SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI ITALY OCTOBER 20 Arrival Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Disappointment during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 16 a 229km stage from Udine to San Daniele Del Friuli 249m girodiitalia Giro on October 20 2020 in San Daniele Del Friuli Italy Photo by Stuart FranklinGetty Images

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SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI ITALY OCTOBER 20 Arrival Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Disappointment during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 16 a 229km stage from Udine to San Daniele Del Friuli 249m girodiitalia Giro on October 20 2020 in San Daniele Del Friuli Italy Photo by Stuart FranklinGetty Images
SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI ITALY OCTOBER 20 Arrival Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Disappointment during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 16 a 229km stage from Udine to San Daniele Del Friuli 249m girodiitalia Giro on October 20 2020 in San Daniele Del Friuli Italy Photo by Stuart FranklinGetty Images

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Giro dItalia 2020 103rd Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203 km 21102020 Thomas De Gendt BEL Lotto Soudal photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103rd Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203 km 21102020 Thomas De Gendt BEL Lotto Soudal photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020

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Giro dItalia 2020 103rd Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203 km 21102020 Vincenzo Nibali ITA Trek Segafredo photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103rd Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203 km 21102020 Vincenzo Nibali ITA Trek Segafredo photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Oscar Rodriguez Garaikoetxea of Spain and Astana Pro Team Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Oscar Rodriguez Garaikoetxea of Spain and Astana Pro Team Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Jai Hindley of Australia and Team Sunweb White Best Young Rider Jersey Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Sam Oomen of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Nico Denz of Germany and Team Sunweb Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Davide Ballerini of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Alvaro Jose Hodeg Chagui of Colombia and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Mikkel Honore of Denmark and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Iljo Keisse of Belgium and Team Deceuninck QuickStep James Knox of The United Kingdom and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Forcella Valbona 1782m Landscape Peloton Mountains during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Jai Hindley of Australia and Team Sunweb White Best Young Rider Jersey Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Sam Oomen of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Nico Denz of Germany and Team Sunweb Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Davide Ballerini of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Alvaro Jose Hodeg Chagui of Colombia and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Mikkel Honore of Denmark and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Iljo Keisse of Belgium and Team Deceuninck QuickStep James Knox of The United Kingdom and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Forcella Valbona 1782m Landscape Peloton Mountains during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Davide Ballerini of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Fausto Masnada of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Sam Oomen of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Chad Haga of The United States and Team Sunweb Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Monte Bondone 1575m Dolomites Southern Limestone Alps Peloton Snow Landscape Mountains during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Davide Ballerini of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Fausto Masnada of Italy and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Sam Oomen of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Chad Haga of The United States and Team Sunweb Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Monte Bondone 1575m Dolomites Southern Limestone Alps Peloton Snow Landscape Mountains during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Jai Hindley of Australia and Team Sunweb White Best Young Rider Jersey Monte Bondone 1575m Forest Peloton Landscape during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Joao Almeida of Portugal and Team Deceuninck QuickStep Pink Leader Jersey Wilco Kelderman of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb Jai Hindley of Australia and Team Sunweb White Best Young Rider Jersey Monte Bondone 1575m Forest Peloton Landscape during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Oscar Rodriguez Garaikoetxea of Spain and Astana Pro Team Jesper Hansen of Denmark and Team Cofidis Solutions Credits Geoffrey Bouchard of France and Team Ag2R La Mondiale Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Oscar Rodriguez Garaikoetxea of Spain and Astana Pro Team Jesper Hansen of Denmark and Team Cofidis Solutions Credits Geoffrey Bouchard of France and Team Ag2R La Mondiale Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ilnur Zakarin of Russia and CCC Team Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ilnur Zakarin of Russia and CCC Team Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Victor De La Parte of Spain and CCC Team Davide Villella of Italy and Movistar Team Monte Bondone 1575m Peloton Landscape Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Victor De La Parte of Spain and CCC Team Davide Villella of Italy and Movistar Team Monte Bondone 1575m Peloton Landscape Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Joao Almeida POR Deceuninck Quick Step photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Joao Almeida POR Deceuninck Quick Step photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020

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Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Scenery photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Scenery photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020

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Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Joao Almeida POR Deceuninck Quick Step photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Joao Almeida POR Deceuninck Quick Step photo Luca BettiniBettiniPhoto2020

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Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Scenery photo Tommaso PelagalliBettiniPhoto2020
Giro dItalia 2020 103th Edition 17th stage Bassano del Grappa Madonna di Campiglio 203km 21102020 Scenery photo Tommaso PelagalliBettiniPhoto2020

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Breakaway Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Breakaway Breakaway during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

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MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Breakaway Fans Public during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO ITALY OCTOBER 21 Ben Oconnor of Australia and NTT Pro Cycling Team Breakaway Fans Public during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 17 a 203km stage from Bassano del Grappa to Madonna di Campiglio 1514m girodiitalia Giro on October 21 2020 in Madonna di Campiglio Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

One day after being denied in San Daniele del Friuli, NTT's Ben O'Connor finally claimed his first Grand Tour victory on stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia as the bright sun began to set atop the Madonna di Campiglio.

The Australian, part of a large day-long breakaway, attacked the remains of the move with eight kilometres to climb to the summit and held off a furtive chase by Hermann Pernsteiner (Bahrain McLaren), who tried but failed to close down what started as a 22-second gap but expanded to 31 at the line.

Ilnur Zakarin (CCC Team) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), unable to respond to O'Connor's attack on the steepest section, battled for the final stage podium spot, with De Gendt coming out on top as the maglia rosa group was still on the lower slopes of the 12.5km climb.

More to follow...

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