Cycling-Merlier wins stage 18 in sprint finish for second Giro victory
Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 18 - Fiera di Primiero to Padova - Italy - May 23, 2024 Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium with his medal after winning stage 18 REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
(Reuters) - Tim Merlier of team Soudal Quick-Step claimed his second victory in this year's Giro d'Italia when he prevailed in a sprint finish to take stage 18 on Thursday.
Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 18 - Fiera di Primiero to Padova - Italy - May 23, 2024 Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium with his medal after winning stage 18 REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Merlier's team mate Pieter Serry set the Belgian up to finish narrowly ahead of points classification leader Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).
Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 18 - Fiera di Primiero to Padova - Italy - May 23, 2024 Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium with champagne after winning stage 18 REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck, second in the points classification, finished third while Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) maintained the overall lead.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 18 - Fiera di Primiero to Padova - Italy - May 23, 2024 Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier reacts after crossing the line to win stage 18 REUTERS/Ciro De Luca