Zana wins before the ascent to the three towers of Lavaredo, summits of Merckx and Fuente

The Dolomites hold the key to the treasure of a Giro advancing towards its climax. The secret is hidden in those tremendous peaks and valleys of a mountain range that provides joyful images for the senses but that cloud the vision of strong men who climb between peaks adorned by perpetual snow.. An impressive setting for a race that this Thursday exalted Filippo Zana, a new benchmark for the tifosi, who embittered the existence of Thibaut Pinot. The Frenchman returned to lead the good breakaway of the day, but was again beaten by his fellow breakaways.

A day in which Primoz Roglic challenged a Geraint Thomas, who on his 37th birthday kept the pink jersey without excessive problems. The Portuguese Joao Almeida gave up 20 seconds and lost second place overall in the preview of the queen stage this Friday, with the hellish journey to the Three Peaks of Lavadero.

Zana, 24 years old and Italian champion on the road, certified the excellent conditions shown in the last week and won the most important victory of his career after enduring the acceleration of the always impulsive Pinot. The Frenchman, who was already surpassed by Einer Rubio in Crans-Montana, assumed the leading role of the day, getting into a break that was around six minutes ahead and which virtually placed him in the fight for the podium in Rome. Escaping with him were Paret-Peintre, Barguil, Gee, Frigo, Zana and Pronskij, all controlled from a distance by Thomas's Ineos, with Arensman and De Plus serving as watchful watchers.

The group of the best advanced compactly until Roglic accelerated with nine kilometers to go and dropped Almeida. The Portuguese endured the offensive with difficulties and the damage would have been serious if he had not had the help of Jay Vine, one of the most notable domestiques of the Giro. The Australian is as good as Sepp Kuss, who also did a supreme job for Roglic's benefit..

A great round is not won without squires of guarantees. Some helpers who will be vital this Friday in an extremely hard event in the Dolomites, with ascents to the colossi Campolongo, Valpariola, Giau (Cima Coppi), Tre Croci and final in Three Peaks of Lavaredo, with its imposing and linked Piccola peaks, Big and Ovest. More than seven kilometers of ascent, with ramps of 18% unevenness.

Stage for drama and epic. In the domains of the three limestone towers, Eddy Merckx and José Manuel Fuente signed glorious pages. El Caníbal, in 1968, cemented the conquest of his first Giro. On matchday 12, the young Luis Ocaña presented his credentials with an offensive that generated a dangerous escape. Merckx, on a cold, rainy and foggy day, attacked with 25 kilometers to go, took down Julio Jiménez and only the Italian Vittorio Adorni, his teammate in Faema, supported his attack.. The Belgian neutralized the escapees with one kilometer to go, won the stage, put on the pink jersey and did not let go until the closing in Naples. The first of his Spins poker.

Six years later, El Tarangu, encouraged by the tifosi' because he was the only one who did not fear Merckx, challenged the control of the Molteni team and launched himself down the ramps of the Three Peaks of Lavadero with eight kilometers remaining to the finish line, at the Auronzo Refuge. Nobody endured the acceleration of the Asturian. From behind, Gianbattista Baronchelli squeezed Merckx and took a few seconds ahead, for a few moments he was the virtual leader, but he did not keep up the challenge and the Belgian caught him. Ahead, Fuente, in another dog day, climbed out of the fray and scored his fifth victory in the 1974 edition. The three peaks of Lavadero crowned him, for the fourth time in the Giro, as undisputed king of the mountains. Now, this mountain will once again be decisive for the resolution of the round.