As it happened: Breakaway has its day on stage 10 as Pogačar saves energy

Buongiorno and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 10 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia!

We're back from the first rest day and heading straight back uphill with a tough stage starting in the historical city of Pompeii and concluding at the summit finish to Bocca della Selva.  

It's been a rough day for sprinters with multiple DNS's coming in ahead of the tenth stage. Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) is the biggest name to pull out of the race after his stage 9 victory in Naples.

Giro d’Italia stage winner Olav Kooij abandons with fever as Visma's bad luck continues

There's been another abandon as Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor) joins the list of riders not starting in Pompeii. This will hinder the leadout of Alberto Dainese but he will still have the experience of Matteo Trentin by his side. 

A reminder of the jersey wearers as we head into the second week of racing:
- Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) in blue on behalf of Pogačar who leads the race
- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) who leads the maglia ciclamino points classification
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in the maglia rosa as race leader
- Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) in white as the best young rider

A look at current race leader Tadej Pogačar before he starts the second week of the Giro. He sits beside the Trofeo Senza Fine, the wonderful trophy that he will want to get his hands on come the race's finish in Rome.

Despite his huge 2:40 lead over Martínez in second, there is a lot that can happen between now and the conclusion of the Giro with 12 stages left to race.

Riders are completing sign-ons and the team presentation at the Piazza Bartolo Longo in Pompeii after some took in the breathtaking Amphitheatre of Pompeii, a historic site which was previously buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 

We're around 30 minutes from the unofficial roll out of Pompeii with the flag drop expected to come at 13:15 CEST.

Here's what is in store for the 158 riders starting today's stage, with a flat-ish start not screaming early breakaway. But the climbing phase in the middle could allow a group of climbers lower down on GC to get ahead and battle out summit finish in Bocca della Selva, should Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates let them. 

It's blue skies and sunny weather for the riders in Pompeii before they head north back into the mountains.

Not long until the start now. Pogačar is enjoying a chat with Slovenian compatriots Domen Novak and Jan Tratnik.

Unofficial start

Riders are gone from the unofficial start in Pompeii and stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia is underway! We'll have a few kilometres of neutralised riding before proper racing gets started.  

Some riders are already suffering punctures in the neutral zone so we may be slightly delayed for the full start. 

2km from the official start now.

Today's start in Pompeii is the most south the Giro will head in 2024. The race will head north for majority of racing until it heads back down to Rome for the finale. 

142KM TO GO

Stage 10 is underway. There are attacks right from the flag drop with Simon Clarke (Israel Premier Tech) and Quentin Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) getting a small gap instantly. 

It looks like it is going to be quite the fight for the break here with many riders all chancing their hand right from the first kilometre. 

Ineos are clearly interested with both Sheffield and Foss trying to make it up to the two leaders: Clarke and Hermans. 

Now it's Connor Swift who's trying for the British side. Giulio Pellizzarri (Bardiani), Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Ewan Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) are among the riders also trying to counter. 

Notable for now is that UAE Team Emirates are yet to come to the front and try and control. They are comfortable to let things play out for the moment. 

Clarke and Hermans have close to 20 seconds on the peloton now and the pace lulls for a moment before Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) reignites it with another attack.

130KM TO GO

The pace comes out again for a moment, allowing Clarke and Hermans half a minute of a lead. It can't be finished yet, though, with more attacks now coming.

Arkéa and EF have been two of the most active breakaway teams at this year's Giro so no surprise to see them once again trying to get ahead.

Andrea Piccolo is on the move again for EF with teammate Cepeda for company. They're trying to make the bridge to the duo of leaders. Mauri Vansevenant is towards the front after already seeing Julian Alaphilippe trying to breakaway for Soudal-QuickStep.

Crash

Crash at the side of the road for Louis Barré (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). He's back on his feet and trying to fix his bike, but moving gingerly. 

Alessandro De Marchi (Jayco AlUla) is trying to bridge to Clarke and Hermans solo. It wouldn't be the first time they've been in a break together at the Giro after they were narrowly caught before the line in Naples at last year's Giro. 

There is now a trio in front with De Marchi making the junction but the gap has come done significantly to the peloton with EF still trying to make sure they don't miss out. It's Stefan De Bod now making a move across. 

120KM TO GO

Pace is very high in the racing for now with the next moves being launched. 14 seconds is the gap.

Decathlon AG2R La Mondaile have also been very active throughout this opening phase. This won't calm down until more teams have made it out in front as they clearly aren't happy. 

After their initial attempts to get in the break, Ineos have showed they mean business on this 10th stage. They'll mainly be at work to protect Geraint Thomas' GC ambitions but have been very aggressive so far at this year's Giro.

Cooperation seems to have come together again in the front trio after Hermans missed a few turns which wasn't best welcomed by De Marchi. Gap is back out to 30 seconds. 

A look back at Clarke and Hermans making their move, welcomed by a sea of pink as they head out of Pompeii.

110KM TO GO

Attila Valter (Visma-Lease a Bike) is clearly enjoyed a free role today as he constantly tries to make it into a move. Jhonatan Narváez is showing now signs of pain from his late attack on stage 9 as he gets into the next move for Ineos. 

The latest wave of attacks have calmed down again but Clarke, Hermans and De Marchi have been able to get things going in front and pull out their lead to 56 seconds. 

A very French counterattack makes its way off the front through Cofidis, Groupama FDJ and Arkéa-B&B Hotels. The gap is growing to the leaders with Intermarché launching a tandem move to try and ensure they don't miss out.

Its Champion (Cofidis), Ries (Arkéa) and Barthe (Groupama) who made that initial move, with leadout man-turned-sprinter Madis Mihkels doing the job for Calemjane to try and bridge. 

Nothing is sticking in the peloton. It is just attack after attack for the moment as the race moves through Cancello Scalo. 

100KM TO GO

The next group goes and the Italian national champion Simone Velasco is showing off il Tricolore in all its glory for Astana Qazaqstan. Pellizzari is again active and could be a very strong chance if he can get to the mountainous terrain later in the day. They have Calmejane, Leemreize and Davy for company.

The five-man chasing group is now one minute down on the three leaders, with the peloton at 1:20. We're a few kilometres from the first hilly part of the stage, which could act as another launchpad for the attacks to continue. 

That counterattack group is all but caught with teams in the peloton still unhappy to have missed out. This is brutal racing on stage 10.

There is another big group making their way away from the peloton. Its got some very strong riders involved such as Filippo Ganna, Valter, Affini, Geschke, Bagiolo, Covilli and Mulubrhan.

This group looks to be going well with a now 30-second lead on the peloton. Things had calmed down but as I type, DSM have now launched a counter as they have missed out. 

Reminder that De Marchi, Hermans and Clarke do still lead stage 10 after getting away much earlier. The Ganna group is now at 38 seconds from them with the peloton at 1:06.

90KM TO GO

The Ganna group is being joined by more attacks and has swelled in size with the peloton close behind. The leaders are closing in on the intermediate sprint in Arpaia.

It's uphill all the way to the intermediate sprint point with the gap to the trio in front coming down. Hermans looks have given up the ghost after appearing to struggle, leaving Clarke and De Marchi alone in front. 

Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) launched out of the peloton to mop up the maximum remaining points available for the maglia ciclamino competition into Arpaia.

First signs of UAE Team Emirates at the front of the peloton after 55km of racing. The closer it gets to the finish with a narrow gap on the break, the more likely they are to control for another Pogačar stage win.

The next 10km of racing will see the peloton take on an uncategorised climb which is over 3km and averages close to a 7% gradient. Cruel to not be classified but it will be crueler for those struggling in the peloton as they could start to be dropped. 

Things momentarily calming down in the peloton has given Clarke and De Marchi a better lead in their move. They have 1:20 on the peloton.

We are still not settled on stage 10 with another attack getting away from the peloton. Velasco involved again.

Reminder that we have breakjà vu today with Clarke and De Marchi after they put on a breakaway show during last year's Giro stage into Napoli. Hopefully, for their sake, it isn't that close a catch if they are to play a part in today's finale.

80KM TO GO

De Marchi did lose his radio as his team tried to fix it on the move. Cofidis have curiously got on the front of the peloton with Pogačar staying calm in the middle of the peloton. 

Bad sign for Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) as he starts to drop very early in the day. This can't be due to legs as Plapp is a much more capable rider, especially uphill. Hopefully, he can make it through the day and recover from whatever is affecting him.

Lidl-Trek have made a nice move up to the Velasco group alongside Alaphilippe, Bardet and Chaves. This could be a great move if it is allowed a big advantage. There is still around 2km of climbing on this unclassified section. 

UAE Team Emirates have took control at the head of the peloton finally, but they are not pacing with any focus on bringing the leaders back yet, but they aren't allowing this chasing group much of an advantage. 

There is a now massive move trying to get away on this uncategorised climb, some 22 riders. UAE still working on the front to keep is relatively close. 

UAE seem to be finally letting this break get away. They have calmed down on the descent section with the gaps now at 1:03 to the duo in front and 31 seconds to the chasers. 

70KM TO GO

We're 4km to the foot of the first categorised climb of the day, the Camposauro (6.1 km at 7.5%).

A dog has just stepped out into the road and narrowly avoided contact with the riders in the break. Hopefully, everyone has stayed safe.

Clarke and De Marchi are now onto the lower slopes of the climb but no contact has yet been made by the chasing group who are still 30 seconds back. 

Contact made at the front of proceedings with a now 27-rider group in front.

Pogačar looks incredibly calm in the peloton with his UAE team now letting the gap go out to 3:03. 

60KM TO GO

Simon Clarke has dropped from his early efforts in the day to get in the break. 

Here's official confirmation that the Stelvio won't be tackled in this year's Giro due to adverse weather in recent weeks. Take a look at the new stage 16 route below and look out for the full story on CN later today. 

The peloton has crested the first categorised climb with a 4:03 deficit on the huge group of leaders. 

50KM TO GO

Simon Geschke (Cofidis) won the KOM sprint to Camposauro, which gains him the maximum 18 points and puts him virtually ahead of Dani Martínez in second behind Pogačar. If he can survive in the break and finish in a decent spot, he'll likely get to don the maglia azzura tomorrow. 

They probably would have paced anyway for their leader but Molano and leadout man Oliveira have been doing more of the work on the front in today's stage than seen earlier in the race, showing just why Pogačar was well within his rights to help in the run into Naples on the stage 9 sprint finish. 

Bardet is one of the top-placed riders in the break on GC at 7:51 from Pogačar's lead, prompting DSM-Firmenich to put their other two riders in the break, Hamilton and Vermaerke, to work on the front. 

Status quo for the moment in the peloton and breakaway. 

Next point of call on the route will be at the Intergiro sprint into Guardia Sanframondi.

Alaphilippe is back at the doctor's car so something is clearly bothering him.

40KM TO GO

Splits in the front of the breakaway group. Alaphilippe has been distanced by the break. 

Foss, De Marchi and Fiorelli are the next to drop from the break. Pace is still on from DSM.

It has been great to see Alaphilippe on good form again as he got into today's break but he won't play a further part in the stage after getting dropped. 

The gap keeps changing but UAE do not look like a team chasing, that is for sure. Back out to 4:01 on this uncategorised climb. 

There are reports from Italia TV that the weather is vastly different from the sunshine now at the finish up to Bocca della Selva with rain pouring down.

Fiorelli launches out of the leading group to try and secure the Intergiro point and the ciclamino points that come with it. 

Tratnik has made a counterattack from the peloton. He's been a Giro stage winner in the past (2020) and will be hoping for some company to make a small move off the front of the very large break. 

35KM TO GO

Gap down to the break has gone out to 4:33. it is looking better by the kilometre for the break to have a chance. 

This is how much of stage 10 has looked for Pogačar in the peloton, just happy to sit behind his team and save some energy after a full gas opening week. 

A very strong group has set off in pursuit of Tratnik: Bardet, Bagioli, Fiorelli, Frigo and Valentin Paret-Peintre. 

Confirmation that it is definitely raining at the finish.

It does now look like UAE have really let it go as the gap is at 5:22 from Tratnik and the now chasing quartet to the peloton.

30KM TO GO

Fiorelli has dropped from the chase but Bardet, Bagioli, Paret-Peintre and Frigo are yet to catch Tratnik. 

Tratnik is riding brilliantly on his own here but has cut it slightly fine on a couple of corners. He's still out in front of the chasing quartet and only incresing his lead back to 40 seconds. 

Bahrain Victorious have bit first and got on the front of the peloton. They don't want leader Antonio Tiberi to be passed by the men in the break gaining lots of time. Bardet started the day 3:28 ahead of the Italian and would be set to gain 5:31 if the stage finished right now. 

20KM TO GO

Closing in on the final intermediate sprint of the day into Cusano Mutri which looks lovely. Tratnik will mop up the three bonus seconds available but this won't particularly move the needle given he is 43 minutes down on Pogačar. 

A look at the long final climb of the day to Bocca della Selva. It isn't the hardest climb of the race so far but today has been tough, especially in the break, so it will take some effort to make it to the top. 

Bardet got two bonus seconds into Cusano Mutri and is set to move up a lot on GC if he can capitalise on getting in the break and stay ahead on the final climb. A stage win would be lovely too and would complete the Grand Tour stage victory set.

Here come Ineos to the front. They will want to be in good positioning for the descent section which caused Tratnik some issues and could be interested in pacing the final climb to ensure Bardet doesn't get too far away. 

Tratnik is doing a wonderful job out in front and looks very strong. He's eked out 10 seconds more on the chasing group containing what seemed like stronger climbers. 

15KM TO GO

Narváez has hit the front for Ineos as he continues to show great form at this Giro. 

Tratnik has 1:00 on the chasers. The bigger group is still at 1:43, while the Ineos work has brought it down to 5:06. 

The old veteran is showing his hand at his final Giro, Domenico Pozzovivo has upped the pace in the bigger chasing group. 

Frigo has dropped away from the better climbers Bardet, Paret-Peintre and Bagioli. 

Bahrain are back on the front of the peloton and chasing with Bora-Hansgrohe also showing up to make sure the gap to Bardet and Zana doesn't get out of hand. 

Attack

The French duo of Paret-Peintre and Bardet have attacked away from their Italian companion in the chase. They've set off in pursuit of Tratnik who is 1:10 up the road. 

That French acceleration has made an impact, taking 10 seconds out of Tratnik's lead. The peloton is still at 5:11.

Pogačar's bike is getting pinker by the day at the Giro... He's sitting calm in the peloton. 

10KM TO GO

It is still Bahrain on the front but not much of impact is being made on the deficit. The second chasing group has ran out of rhythm completely in their chase. 

Paret-Peintre and Bardet are going well in their chase of Tratnik, now 46 seconds down. 

Tratnik has stopped losing time as quickly as he was but he still has 8.4km to survive. 

It is set to be a very good day for Bardet even if he doesn't win the day. He's keeping a good distance from the peloton with Bahrain not making much of an impression. This would mark a great comeback for the Frenchman after losing time in the opening stages due to illness. 

5KM TO GO

A reminder that this move from Tratnik went with 37km to go when he launched from the Guardia Sanframondi Intergiro sprint point

Tratnik still looking good. Gap at 39 seconds.

The long, straight open roads on the Bocca della Selva mean the French duo can see their target, but they cannot quite catch him yet. 

Peloton is now at 4:15 with Bahrain still pushing on. They've got Caruso back from the early break and he's straight into his work on the front. 

3KM TO GO

Paret-Peintre has dropped Bardet! The young man has got away from the veteran.

Almost in a flash, the Decathlon man has Tratnik in his sights and he's about to make the catch. Expect him to attack as soon as he reaches the Slovenian's wheel. 

Attack

As expected, Paret-Peintre drops the hammer down and leaves Tratnik and Bardet behind. He's on the way to a maiden professional victory here and what a win it would be. 

He showed the form at the UAE Tour and Tour of Alps while working for Ben O'Connor but he's on his own and showing what he can do. What a ride from the 23-year-old Paret-Peintre. 

Bardet has also left Tratnik after a great ride but can he make the junction in the final 2km and drop his compatriot?

Caruso has done a great job to lessen Bardet's gains on Tiberi's GC position. He's got the gap down to 3:37 from the leaders. 

Attack

Pogačar has just one teammate left with him as Caruso pulls off and Tiberi goes!

Tiberi's attack was closely marked by Pogačar just as it was on Prati di Tivo. The rest of the GC riders have now responded in the peloton. 

1KM TO GO

As the racing kicks off behind, Paret-Peintre has entred the final kilometre and the stage looks like it is his. A year after his brother Aurelien took his first Grand Tour stage win, Valentin is going to join him as a Giro stage winner. 

Bardet has faded to 30 seconds and it's the new generation of French riders that is going to take the victory at Bocca della Selva. 

Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) wins stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia!

He can't quite believe it but what an incredible win it is for the young Frenchman as his team continues their hot streak. It is second for Bardet on the day just 30 seconds down. 

Chapeau Jan Tratnik in third for a great ride. Behind, Majka has restored order to the peloton and is pacing for Pogačar in the bunch with Tiberi knocking off his attack.

Wonderful moment for Aurelien Paret-Peintre who celebrated his brother's victory over the line. 

Uijtdbroeks has been narrowly dropped! Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) was pacing in the group behind as Arensman drops out of the leading GC group. O'Connor tried to pay back his teammate with a sprint and did create some small gaps on a couple of his rivals but not Pogačar, Thomas or Martínez.  

Pogačar rolls home safely in the lead group behind O'Connor. Another day ticked off in his pursuit of the maglia rosa. 

Here's what Valentin Paret-Peintre had to say after claiming his first professional win with a stage victory at the Giro d'Italia:

"To be honest, I can't describe what I feel now - it's just amazing," said the young Frenchman. "I was there to get a good result in the stage and why not win? Now I have a stage win for my first pro win.

Paret-Peintre admitted Bardet was someone he watched when he was a young rider, making it all the more special to beat him today:

"It is true, I watched him [Bardet] when I was young, when he finished on the podium of the Tour de France. I dreamed in seeing him on today and today I battled with him and I beat him," he said.

"The last 4km was the hardest and I said OK if I want to attack, its in the last 4km so I was waiting, waiting, waiting on the last climb and when I saw the last 3km maybe, I attacked."

He may have been second on the day but Romain Bardet's efforts in the break have moved him up into seventh on GC after starting the day in 14th. Filippo Zana also did well in the break and moved into the top 10, now ninth on GC. 

Here's what third place Jan Tratnik had to say in a lovely interview after his strong day out solo in front:

"I knew that in the group, there were much lighter and better climbers so I needed to anticipate and move earlier," said the Slovenian. "I think it was a good move because before the last climb I already saw some attacks and the group was not organised. I'm really happy, unfortunately it was too short and I can be happy with the performance. This also gives me confidence for upcoming stages."

Tratnik said he knew the legs were becoming heavy in the final phase of the climb but seemed very upbeat with the performance given how unlucky Visma have been at this race, left with only five riders after Olav Kooij abandoned this morning.

"I think 4km to go, 3km to go, I started to feel a bit of weakness in my legs. Not so much but it was a different feeling. I look behind and they pass me with double speed and then for me it was just a battle to the finish line," Tratnik said. "In the end, third place we can be happy, especially after bad luck. I think we showed, even with five guys, we just want to race and have fun and opportunities are there, we just need to grab them."

A great moment was shared post-race by brothers Aurélien and Valentin Paret-Peintre as they share an embrace, now both as Giro d'Italia stage winers. 

Here's a look at the full stage results and GC standings after stage 10, courtesy of FirstCycling.

Cian Uijtdebroeks' (Visma-Lease a Bike) late struggles didn't see him drop a place from fifth on GC but he did lose time to Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) in sixth. This is also important for the white jersey competition as the Italian now sits only 12 seconds down for the maglia bianca and will fancy his chances to take it from the Belgian on the stage 14 time trial.

Other classification movement sees Simon Geschke (Cofidis) have a great day and move into second in the King of the Mountains classification behind Pogačar, which will allow him to wear the maglia azzurra on stage 11.

Make sure to read our full stage report from stage 10:

Giro d'Italia: Valentin Paret-Peintre follows in his brother's footsteps with stage 10 victory

Here's Paret-Peintre's crowning moment as he crossed the line in Bocca della Selva. A first professinal win, a first Grand Tour win and a special moment for the young Frenchman. 

That wraps up our live coverage of stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia but make sure to look out for news coming out from our team on the ground in Italy. Check back tomorrow for more live coverage of stage 11 from Foiano di val Fortore to Francavilla al mare.