May 13, 2017 (Paschici, Italy) – Canada’s Michael Woods (Cannondale-Drapac) delivered another 5th-place finish at the Giro turning heads yet again on the 189km Stage 8 from Molfetta to Paschici. Winner Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Movistar Team capitalized on a crash by Italy’s Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) in the final corner as the Italian tried to win the first stage at this year’s Giro for tifossi as one of four riders remaining from early break-away groups.

Izagirre was the strongest in the final climb to the finish with Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Bahrain-Merida taking second and Luis León Sanchez (Esp) Astana Pro Team third. Woods claimed 5th behind Enrico Battaglin (Ita) Team LottoNl-Jumbo as the pack rolled in at 12 seconds behind. The valiant Canuck remains 22nd while the maglia rosa is still being celebrated by Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors.

Results

1. Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Movistar Team 4:24:59
2. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:05
3. Luis León Sanchez (Esp) Astana Pro Team 0:10
4. Enrico Battaglin (Ita) Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:12
5. Michael Woods (Can) Cannondale-Drapac
6. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
8. Adam Yates (Gbr) Orica-Scott
9. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
10. Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors

163. Svein Tuft (Can) Orica-Scott 10:56

GC after Stage 8

1. Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors 38:21:18
2. Geraint Thomas (Gbr) Team Sky 0:06
3. Adam Yates (Gbr) Orica-Scott 0:10
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
6. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb
7. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team
8. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
9. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ
10. Andrey Amador (Crc) Movistar Team

22. Michael Woods (Can) Cannondale-Drapac 1:36
151. Svein Tuft (Can) Orica-Scott 51:04