MONTEVERGINE DI MERCOGLIANO, Italy (AP) — Bart De Clercq hung on to win the seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia on Friday and Pieter Weening retained the overall lead.
De Clercq narrowly beat Michele Scarponi at the line after attacking on the long final climb to Montevergine di Mercogliano with six miles remaining and finished in 2 hours, 54 minutes, 47 seconds. Italy’s Scarponi led the pursuing group, but fell short on the 68-mile stage that started in Maddaloni.
Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic was third in the same time.
Netherlands’ Weening finished in the chasing pack to hold onto the pink jersey for a third day.
