Andreas Leknessund (24) is still in the top 10 of the Giro d’Italia and is about to enter a very exclusive list.

On Friday, the “polar bear from Tromsø” rode hard on the toughest stage of the race. He cracked a little on the last steep mountain – and fell from 8th to 9th in the summary before the end of the Giro weekend.

The Norwegians have finished only three times in history among the top ten of the three biggest cycling stage races: the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España:

• Carl Fredrik Hagen: 8th in the Vuelta a España 2019.
• Tobias Foss: 9th in the Giro d’Italia 2021.
• Dag Erik Pedersen: 10th place in the 1984 Giro d’Italia.

– It’s crazy good. He’s learning a lot here in this year’s Giro but missing the last percent when the favorites turn to the little extra, said Eurosport commentator Theis Magelssen.

The 19th stage from Longarone – Tre Cime di Lavaredo was spectacular and the queen stage of the Giro in 2024. Santiago Buitrago raced alone to the finish line as the winner.

Saturday follows a mountain rhythm.

Friday’s stage offered 5,423 vertical meters and four passes in the Dolomites. Admittedly, the distance was “only” 183 kilometers, but it was still quite difficult – and pouring rain towards the end made it even more difficult.

Andreas Leknessund in DSM was number eight overall after Thursday’s stage. He is 4.47 minutes behind leader Geraint Thomas (Ineos).

Canada’s Derek Gee raced alone before the last mountain on Friday. He was chased by Santiago Buitrago – and with 1.5 kilometers to go, the Colombian hero took the lead and rode alone to the finish line to victory.

Leknessund was in the peloton at the back with just under 20 riders. About 1.3 km from the finish line, he had to give up a few meters and could not keep up with the others.

Overall leader Geraint Thomas, Primož Roglič and João Almeida, meanwhile, fought for the overall victory. Roglič was 29 seconds behind the Welshman before this stage. He gained three seconds on Friday. But Thomas, 37, is now the favorite to become the oldest Giro d’Italia winner.

PSST! Are you ready for the cycling season? Here are the spring bike tests from Landevei.no (+)

Magnus Cort finished third. According to Italian Gazzeta dello Sport, the Dane could end up in Norwegian team Uno-X next season.

Results:

1. Santiago Buitrago 28.05.07, 2. Derek Gee +0.51, 3. Magnus Cort +1.46, 4. Primoz Roglic, 5. Geraint Thomas +1.49, 6. Joao Almeida +2.09, 7. Damiano Caruso, 8. Thymen Arensman, 9. Thibaut Pinot +2.16, 10. Einer Rubio +2.26.

In total:

1) Thomas, 2) Roglič +0.26 min., 3) Almeida +0.59, 4) Caruso +4.11, 5) Dunbar +4.53, 6) Pinot +5.10, 7) Arensman +5.13, 8) Kämna +5.54, 9) Leknessund +6.08, 10) De Plus +7.30.