Narváez outsprints Giro d’Italia favorite Pogačar to win opening stage in Turin
Jhonatan Narváez celebrates as he cycles to the finish line to win the stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia from Venaria Reale to Turin, Italy, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Massimo Paolone]
TURIN, Italy (AP) — Jhonatan Narváez has marred Tadej Pogačar’s Giro d’Italia debut as he pipped the Slovenian star to victory on the opening stage to take the leader’s pink jersey that Pogačar is heavily favored to be wearing when the race ends in Rome in three weeks. Rarely has the Giro had such an overwhelming pre-race favorite as Pogačar. The two-time Tour de France winner had never competed in the Giro before and he was hoping to ride into pink right from the start but Narvaez beat him and Max Schachmann in a sprint between the three riders at the end of the 140-kilometer (87-mile) route from Venaria Reale to Turin. Schachmann also edged out Pogačar.
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Jhonatan Narváez celebrates with sparkling wine on podium after winning the stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia from Venaria Reale to Turin, Italy, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Massimo Paolone