‘I just don’t want to have a bad day’ – Luke Plapp testing his limits in first Giro d’Italia

Luke Plapp’s main assignment at this Giro d’Italia was to learn, and that directive hasn’t changed despite Jayco-Alula’s loss of team leader Eddie Dunbar to a crash on the road to Oropa on stage 2.

Dunbar, 7th a year ago, had entered this Giro as a podium contender, while Plapp, in only his second Grand Tour appearance, was handed the freedom to gauge his limits in a three-week race. His status hasn’t been upgraded to that of GC leader despite Dunbar’s misfortune.