UAE Team Emirates’ Jan Polanc was the first rider from the peloton to crest the only categorised climb of the day during stage seven of the Giro d’Italia.

The Polish rider will defend the maglia azzurra (the blue jersey) once more in stage eight after extending his overall lead in the mountains classification.

Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) won stage seven after a three-up sprint whilst Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floor) continues to lead in the general classification.

Stage eight begins in Molfetta and ends 189 km later in the tourist town of Peschici with a steep uphill finish. For the climbers, there is a category 2 (Mt. Saint Angelo) and category 4 (Coppa Santa Tecla) climb after 84km of relatively flat riding alongside the Adriatic Sea.

Mountains Classification after Stage Six
1 Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) Points = 44
2 Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data) Points = 23
3 Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) Points = 18

Team Standings
1 Cannondale 85h 03′ 15”
2 UAE Team Emirates +5”
3 Movistar +32”

General Classification after Stage Seven:
# Rider Name (Country) Team Result
1 Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors 33:56:07
2 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky +10
3 Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott
17 Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +46s