As it happened - Alpecin-Deceuninck survive rain, crashes, neutralisation and attacks to dominate Giro d'Italia Stage 6 sprint in Naples

Buongiorno, hello and welcome to our live coverage of the  stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia.

It's a long, rolling ride from Potenza to Naples and will be a fascinating battle between the breakaway and the sprinters.

The stage is 227km long and the longest in this year's Giro. 

It's an early start for the riders and for our live coverage. As always, we'll have all the action from the stage and post-race reaction, images and news stories from Alasdair Fotheringham and James Moultrie on the ground in Italy.

This is the map of today's stage.

This is the stage 6 profile. The early climbs are ideal for a break to get away and to open a significant gap on the sprinter's peloton.

Stage 6 is long at 227km, almost 65km longer than the average stage distance for this year's race.  

The stage begins in Potenza in the the hills of Basilicata and heads northwest towards Campania and Naples. It includes two KOMs on the route before the fast ride into Naples.

The stage starts with a climb out of Potenza, ideal to launch attacks, then the first KOM comes at kilometre 40 after a gradual descent.  

It is a long, 19.9km climb to Valco di Monte Carruozzo, with gradients that reach 11%. 

There is a rolling 50km to the second KOM, a manageable category 3 climb at Monteforte Irpino. 

From there the road heads to Naples going north of Mount Vesuvius before diving to the spectacular Napoli coastline.  

Mads Pedersen is dominating the first week of the Giro and won his third stage on Wednesday in Matera. 

This is how he did it, with reaction, photos and results in our stage report. 

Giro d'Italia: Mads Pedersen extends his lead with third win on stage 5 in Matera. 

Here we go. 

The riders are lined-up for the roll out from Potenza.

The riders begin the 9.9km neutralised sector. 

That means the riders face 236.9km in the saddle today.

The stage has started under grey skies, with some riders wearing gillet.

The weather predictions say it could rain in the final kilometres in Naples.

Ouch. The neutralised sectors includes some steep climbs. 

Unfortunately Alessandro Pinarello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) did not start after his crash yesterday. 

To understand in detail what happened on stage 5, look back at our live coverage.  

As it happened: Lidl-Trek show their determination to win yet again on Giro d'Italia Stage 5

There is just km to go in the neutralised sector. 

Riders seem ready to go on the attack when the flag drops very soon.

We can see several Red Bull riders up front,  will they try to join or control the early attacks?  

It was interesting to see that the Ineos riders warmed-up on the rollers. 

Via! Via! 

Race director Stefano Allocchio waves his flag and blows his whistle. 

They're off! 

And Josh Tarling launches the first attack.

KOM leader Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) is in the first move to try to go for the later points.

Other riders are coming across and the chase is on.

There are six rider up front as the peloton comes stays together near the summit of the first climb.

The six lead by 30 seconds but the elastic has not snapped yet.

Meanwhile, down the back, some are suffering on the climb. 

Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5) is off the back.

The six attackers are trying to extend their lead on the testing descent down the valley.  

Lorenzo Germani (Groupama) is trying to cross the gap to the attack but its a huge task. 

The peloton seems to have eased, the gap is up to 1:00. 

The peloton is lined out on the descent, across severl hundred metres, like a long snake. 

Josh Tarling didn't make it in the attack after his initial surge but Ineos have two riders in the move. 

These are the riders on the attack: 

Michel Ries (Arkéa), Ben Turner (Ineos), Josef Cerny (Soudal), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla), Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani) and king of the mountains leader Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana).

Lorenzo Germani (Groupama) is closing the gap and is at 10 seconds. 

The peloton is tied at 40 seconds.

205km to go

As the descent to the valley continues at speed, the first drops of rain are falling on the riders. 

The peloton haven't let the attack go clear just yet. 

Even Wout Van Aert has made a surge to try to go across. 

We have the attack and now we also have a counter-attack, with a reduced peloton chasing at speed.  

Ben Turner has stopped working in he attack because Josh Tarling is in the counter-attack. 

Tratnik and others are in the counter-attack but they have become something for the peloton to chase.  

It could result in the race coming back together.

Visma les now leading the peloton. They have missed both moves.

195km to go

On a flat road, the two groups are about to come together. But the peloton is close too. 

The race was 'gruppo compatto' for a moment but we have new attacks. 

Meanwhile, reports from Australia has sparked huge debate about future editions of the Giro d'Italia possibly starting down under... 

'Everything is possible' or 'Genuinely impossible'? – The Giro d'Italia could start in Australia in 2027

The riders have been racing for an hour and it's been fast and furious. 

190km to go

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) are on the attack and this time, the peloton seems happy to let them go. 

Visma have blocked the road at the head of the peloton, the pace has slowed. 

As the peloton riders ease up, feed and gather together, Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) have extended their lead to 2:00. 

They have become the hare to chase for the sprinter teams.

Mads Pedersen and hid Lidl-Trek teammates are on the front of the peloton, setting the steady pace.

The race is near the Muro Lucano intermediate sprint. 

As Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) extend their lead to 3:00, two riders are trying to go across.  

They are Lucas Hamilton (Ineos) and Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana). 

They are a minute ahead of the peloton but 2:40 down on the front of the race. 

The riders are on the Valico di Monte Carruozzo climb.

It is almost 20km long  and so will help Fortunato get across and take maximum KOM points.

The long climb will help the attackers extend their lead because the sprinters' team will have to ride at the pace of their leaders.  

Indeed, the peloton is already at 4:50 and riding steady.  

There is growing concern about the risk of rain for the finale of the stage. 

Wet roads in Naples for a hectic sprint would create a scary final part of the stage for everyone, especially the GC riders. 

The heavy rian is forecast from 5pm, just as the stage is finishing.  It will chase the riders from the south.  

Well done Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana)! He has got across to the Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) and so can fight for the KOM points very soon. 

Meanwhile Hamilton has dropped back to the peloton, adding to Ineos' tactical woes today. 

They had Ben Turner in the attack that seemed about to go clear but then chased down the move with other riders in an counter-attack. That sparked a chase from the peloton and widespread criticism for their tactics. 

172km to go

The attackers are 3km from the top of the steady Valico di Monte Carruozzo climb.

They lead the peloton by 3:45, with Visma leading the chase. 

Riders in the attack take on capes and food before the summit of the Valico di Monte Carruozzo climb. 

They are at 1136m so it's fresh and there is the risk of rain.

170km to go

Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) leads Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) and Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) over the summit of the Valico di Monte Carruozzo climb.

He scores 18 points and so extends his lead in the blue jersey competition.

The peloton is 3:00 behind at the summit, with Mads Pedersen calmly riding at the back on the new exposed barren roads of southern Italy. 

After crossing Monte Carruozzo, the stage route descends into Campania, reaching Conza, nestled beside an artificial lake formed by the Ofanto River., near the archaeological park of Compsa, with its Roman ruins including the forum, amphitheater, baths, cathedral, and heraldic column.

There are low clouds on the still green hills of Campania but the roads and weather are still dry.  

This is how Fortunato took maximum KOM points on the climb. 

We spoke to soon! 

There are some drops of rain on the road.

Uhhh. The roads are very wet now. 

Perhaps its a surprise but not too much. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) has sat up.

He scored 18 points on the KOM and does not seem interested in riding on to score more points on the cat 3 Monteforte Irpino climb. 

It mans that Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) remain up front. 

The peloton is at 3:20 as they ride into the heavy rain shower. 

Breakaways in the Giro and any stage race are always an adventure but not always logical or wise. 

In his latest column for Cyclingnews, Thomas De Gendt explains the perils of first week breakaways, and takes a trip down memory lane to his last ever pro road win, in Naples in the 2022 Giro d'Italia.

A first week breakaway in the Giro d'Italia? Not a good idea says breakaway legend Thomas de Gendt – sit tight for later success

Most riders are wearing rain capes as they ride towards Avellino and then Napoli. 

It's warm in Italy this week, about 20C but better to stay warm and mostly dry.

140km to go

After two hours of fast and then steady racing, the average speed for the race is 41,500 km/h. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) leads Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) through the intermediate sprint point in Lioni. 

They are sharing the road, the work and the adventure of being in a break. 

Behind the peloton and Pedersen awakes to fight for third place in the intermediate sprint.

Pedersen goes early but Kooij and Groves come late and so beat him to the line.

Taco van der Hoorn's career has been incredible and an example of resilience.

He won a stage at the Giro in  2021 but then suffered serious concussion in a crash in 2021 that kept him out of competition for 502 days. 

He spoke to Cyclingnews during this year's Tour Down Under.

'Going fast is part of cycling' - breakaway artist Taco van der Hoorn against gear restrictions for safety

This is what it's like out there in the rain. 

Primoz Roglic does not seem too worried by the rain.

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) continue to work smoothly togather, taking turns on the front in equal measure. 

They lead the peloton by 2:25, with Visma still leading the chase.  

Olav Kooij won in Naples in 2024, and the Dutch team hope for another win.

120km to go

The riders roll on, during the longest stage of the 2025 Giro. 

For details of every stage and the full start list of this year's race, click below.

Giro d'Italia 2025

Second by second, the peloton is pulling back the attackers.

Visma and Alpecin are leading the chase.

110km to go

The stage has turned into a post-Italian lunch snooze. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) are riding steady and almost seem keen to be caught. But the peloton also keeps easing when the gap falls, as they want to two to stay away and keep the stage half asleep.

108km to race, 120km done. 

How much as the pace slowed? 

Well, after three hours of racing, the average for the stage has fallen to 39.300 km/h. 

100km to go

The peloton carefully completes a wet descent. Nobody wants to crash today, when the stage is rolling steady.   

Ok, it's our fault... 

Filippo Zana (Jayco) and Lucas Hamilton (Ineos) slip out on a hairpin bend and go down.

Fortunately they're soon up and chasing.

But as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus said in Hill Street Blues: "Lets be careful out there..."

The Giro is riding through Avellino, on the rough and slick paved roads.

Rear wheel flat for Wout Van Aert. He takes the chance to take off his rain jacket as the mechanic does his thing. 

A number of other riders have punctured.

Our photographers are out on the road and today Getty have captured some great images from the race. 

The riders are nearing the cat 3 Monteforte Irpino climb.

70km to go

Crash! 

The road is wet and they went down at speed. 

There are multiple crashes. 

Richard Carapaz went down. Several from Red Bull too. 

Jai Hindley went down hard. He seems shocked.  

The race has been neutralised! 

The neutralisation means the break has also been slowed.

It is a matter of safety, so that the medical services can help riders and be there in case of further crashes. 

Paul Magnier (Soudal) also appears to have crashed and seems stunned. 

Jai Hindley is still sat on the road. Is his race over? 

Red Bull DS Patxi Vila is with Hindley, as is the race doctor. 

A TV replay showed that Hindley was one of the first riders to crash in the peloton.

The road was wet but not soaked in rain and so had become very slippy. There was a slight curve and so as soon as riders touched their brakes, many went down. 

As part of the neutralisation, the peloton has been slowed by the race director's car.

Hindley gets up but only to go an ambulance. 

Primoz Roglic is speaking to race directors car. 

The riders are concerned about getting cold but the have to wait for the peloton to reform.  Riders need medical and mechanical support. 

Former pro Marco Velo is in the director's car and so the riders seem to trust his judgement.  

Richard Carapaz is back in the peloton, the back of his jersey is ripped to shreds. 

The end of the race broom wagon car has only just left the crash location. 

Several Red Bull riders are still riding back to the peloton after the crash. 

Other riders have stopped to lower their tyre pressure to have more grip.

Sadly Josef Černý (Soudal) has also abandoned the race and climbs into an ambulance.

Fortunately the road are now dry. 

Race officials have stopped the break and the peloton on the outskirts of Nola. 

The race is awaiting the rest of the race convoy and riders, especially the boom wagon that closes the race and opens the road. 

Riders and teams are using the stop to get treatment, mechanical help and food and drink. 

Former Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali is also with the race officials and is explaining to the riders what has happened. 

There are discussions on what will happen next.  

One minute to the restart of the stage.

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) are allowed to set off again. 

They are given a 55-second gap on the peloton.

Race officials also allow the peloton to start again. 

The race is back on!

The peloton is chasing down the break. 

We would not be surprised to see the peloton come back together and ride together to Naples to avoid any further crashes. 

Race officials have confirmed that the stage will end in Naples but no time bonuses, points, etc will be awarded. 

Only the points awarded before the crash will be awarded today. There is also no time limit today, which is logical.

55km to go

We're racing again and it's raining again.

Unfortunately the road surface is made from volcano rock slabs for a small sector.  

50km to go

Josef Černý (Soudal) was announced as retired but actually got medical treatment and then set off again. His left leg is covered in blood. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) are pushing on but they will surely be caught sooner or later. 

It's raining heavily again.

Lorenzo Fortunato is one of them any riders with bandages on crash injuries. 

Francesco Busatto of Intermarche too.  

They're both fighting to finish the stage.

The peloton is chasing the break but its a high-speed race. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché)  refuse to give-up easily. 

According to Italian television Jai Hindley has been taken to hospital in Caserta. 

He has a suspected concussion and will be checked or a head injury.  

This is the moment the race was neutralised.

The break leads by 45 seconds as they enter a series of corners.

Radio Corsa has announced that Dion Smith (Intermarché-Wanty) has also abandoned the Giro. 

35km to go

The gap is down to 39 seconds.

It's important to explain that with no times taken at the finish, any time gaps will not be tken for the GC standings.

The peloton is riding to Naples, chasing the break and hoping to avoid any further crashes. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) lead by just 30 seconds now.

Sadly Jay Vine is also announced as retired from the race.

Race Radio has just confirmed that Vine is not out of the race. There is a lot of confusion out there after the many crashes and neutralisation.

We will have a full, detailed and precise medical update on Cyclingnews after the stage.

Official correction by race radio: Jay Vine is still in the Giro. 

25km to go

The gap is down to 29 seconds. 

Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) refuse to give up hope. 

With time gaps not a factor at the finish, a group of riders have eased up and will not race for the stage victory.

Pedersen is seen amongst them.  

The peloton is 26 seconds down on the attackers, the other peloton is further back, at 2:50, and riding in to Napoli.

15km to go

No times will be taken for the Giro GC today but there is still the stage victory to fight for.

Visma are riding on the front and clearly want to win again with Olav Kooij.

The Pedersen peloton is at over 3:00, with some other chasers further back.

They will need to be careful on the roads of Naples and possible vehicles entering the road, thinking the race has passed. 

Pic Nic are also leading the chase and want to contest the sprint 

Alpecin are also there, probably for Kaden Groves.

This is the official decision on what will happen at the finish. 

The peloton can now see Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché). 

They refuse to give up, despite a lead of just 19 seconds. 

Fortunately the race is on a main highway for the ride into Naples.

10km to go

Tudor are also in position to contest the sprint on the Naples seafront.

The riders sweep off the elevated highway and Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) keep fighting. 

Thy lead the peloton by 25 seconds.

They're fighting for the win!

Taco van der Hoorn has pulled off this kind of exploit before. 

He won stage 3 of the 2021 Giro after an attack of 186km! He just held off the chase but won alone, by just four seconds. 

Alpecin are leading the chase, with some help from Visma.

Fortunately the roads are dry now. 

4km to go

This will be close. 

The gap is 14 seconds!

All the GC riders have eased up, only the sprinters are taking risks. 

A protestor runs into the road but the riders avoided him. 

It's one of those days..... 

2km to go

That's it.
Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché) have been caught.

It's sprint time! 

Decathlon also in the mix.

Van Aert is leading Kooij but he's down the back of the group. 

Alpecin are leading it out!

An Alpecin attacker got a gap, now Van Aert goes clear.

Sprint!

Kaden Groves wins it!!

Kooij was squeezed along the barriers.  

It's a big win for Groves after a hectic day for the Giro.

Groves beat Fretin (Cofidis) Magnier (Soudal).

Well, the stage started fast, became a snoozer and then turned chaotic with crashes and a neutralisation.

It's Groves first win of 2025 after some injuries in the spring.

Meanwhile the pink jersey group is riding into the finish.

With no GC time gaps taken today at the finish. Mads Pedersen will retain the pink jersey.

Pedersen explained that he crashed and so was unable to contest the sprint.

There is some debate about if Matteo Moschetti 'squeezed' Kooij into the barriers.  

In truth, the Italian was ahead and did not move very much off his line. 

Kaden Groves won in Napoli.

It seems that Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5 has been relegated for his 'squeeze' on Olav Kooij along the barriers.

He was probably punished for his second squeeze, at that point he knew that Kooij was there but moved across again. 

It'll be interesting to see if he is the latest rider to get a yellow card. 

The final riders are still out on the road but about to reach the finish.

Kaden Groves hugged his teammates after his win. He was happy to take his first win of 2025.

"It's not been a great start to the season, with the injury I missed a lot of racing and got here without a win. To get the first one is a big relief," he said. 

Alpecin dominated the sprint in Naples. 

"With the wet roads, they're quite slippery. Knowing that the cobbles started with two kilometres to go, we knew it was super important to be in front. We also needed to lead the chase and close down the breakaway. I still had two teammates for the finish and they did a super job," Groves explained.

"I slipped back a few places, started the sprint early but came off the wheel."

Groves comes from Australia but is not afraid of bad weather.

"I'm quite good in the cold weather and I had confidence in the team. They always do a super job," he concluded.

Alpecin were happy with their day. 

To read our full stage report, see the best photographs and see the results, click below. It was a hectic day on the longest stage of the 2025 Corsa Rosa. 

Giro d'Italia: Kaden Groves wins chaotic stage 6 following race neutralisation

There is never a 'quiet' day in the Giro d'Italia. 

We hope that all the riders who crashed are okay and that all those who fought to finish can race on. 

Alasdair Fotheringham and James Moultrie are on the ground at the Naples finish and will soon have reaction from the riders and teams to fully explain everything that happened today. 

Stage 6 was an intense day due to the weather and crashes but stage 7 will be even worse. It is the first real mountain stage, with a 168km ride high into the Abruzzo Apennines.

This queen stage of week 1 goes across the Apennines and takes in a steady succession of both long and short climbs and descents. 

The ascent to Monte Urano after 64km is short but especially intense, with gradients reaching 14%. 

The stage is played out on twisting mountain roads that climb high in the Apennines. 

In the finale, the route passes through Tagliacozzo and heads along the old road to Marsia, where the finish line is set at 1425m, after an 11.9km climb at an average of 5.5%. 

However the final three kilometres are at 10%!

We expect some GC action to happen and so Mads Pedersen is likely to lose his maglia rosa on stage 7.