As it happened : XDS-Astana reign in Naples after cobbles, late corners, crashes and chaos in high-speed sprint

XDS-Astana secured a chaotic stage victory in Naples today at the Giro d'Italia, with young sprinter Alexey Lutsenko navigating a treacherous finale to claim the win. The stage, marked by cobbled sections, numerous late corners, and multiple crashes in the final kilometers, culminated in a high-speed sprint where Lutsenko demonstrated remarkable bike handling and tactical acumen to cross the line first, despite the widespread disarray around him.

This victory is significant for XDS-Astana, a team that has often struggled for consistent Grand Tour stage wins in recent years, particularly in bunch sprints. Lutsenko, primarily known for his Classics prowess and breakaway efforts, has now added a high-pressure sprint finish to his palmarès, showcasing an unexpected versatility. The chaotic nature of the finish also highlights the increasing technical demands placed on riders, as race organizers frequently design finales that test bike handling as much as raw speed.

Ultimately, Naples delivered its usual Giro drama. While the winner's name is on the trophy, the true victor might just be the race director, who once again proved that chaos sells tickets.