‘The race was out of control’ – Luke Plapp savours a day of Giro d’Italia gravel racing rather than a sense of defeat

Luke Plapp and Julian Alaphilippe hugged in defeat and consolation after Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar) beat them in the three-rider sprint to win the gravel stage 6 of the Giro d’Italia to Rapolano Terme.

A few seconds later, Sanchez and Alaphilippe also hugged in a show of respect and brotherhood after they had shared the road and the fatigue of the breakaway. Only Sanchez could celebrate victory, but Alaphilippe and Plapp could savour the moment and some kind of personal success.