Key Takeaways: Giro d'Italia Stage 18

Breaking down how a tough mountain stage was won, and what it told us about how the GC battle will play out over the Giro's brutal upcoming stretch

Filippo Zana won the 2023 Giro d’Italia’s opening Dolomiti stage, a mere amuse-bouche for tomorrow’s full course, with a strong and savvy ride to force his way into the early breakaway before outfoxing the veteran Thibaut Pinot in the final uphill few kilometers and coming over the line first after winning the two-up sprint.

Back in the GC group, which …