Merlier sprints to stage 18 win at Giro d'Italia

Tim Merlier displayed his sprinting prowess to win stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia for team Soudal Quick-Step.

Merlier, 31, emerged from a wide position in a crowded field to take the victory by half a wheel from Jonathan Milan, with Kaden Groves third.

Tadej Pogacar remains in a strong position in the leader's pink jersey with three stages left to race.

"The last kilometre was really fast and I was a bit surprised already after the corners I was in the last five or six wheels," Merlier said.

"But when I found my moment I started my sprint, I had to go around but I made it in the end."

The sprint finish meant there was no major change at the top of the general classification with Slovenia's Pogacar extending his lead by one second.

Britain's Geraint Thomas stays third in the overall standings.

After a relatively flat 178km, the riders move back into the hills on Friday with a 157km stage from Mortegliano to Sappada.

Stage 18 result

1. Tim Merlier (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) - 3hrs 45mins 44secs

2. Jonathan Milan (Ita/Lidl-Trek) - Same time

3. Kaden Groves (Aus/Alpecin-Deceuninck) - Same time

4. Alberto Dainese (Ita/Tudor Pro Cycling Team) - Same time

5. Stanislaw Aniolkowski (Pol/Confidis) - Same time

6. Fernando Gaviria (Col/Movistar) - Same time

7. Madis Mihkels (Est/Intermarche-Wanty) - Same time

8. Caleb Ewan (Aus/Team Jayco AlUla) - Same time

9. Davide Ballerini (Ita/Astana Qazaqstan Team) - Same time

10. Juan Sebastian Molano (Col/UAE Team Emirates) - Same time

General classification after stage 18

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 67hrs 16mins 22secs

2. Daniel Martinez (Col/Bora-Hansgrohe) +7mins 43secs

3. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +8mins 6secs

4. Ben O'Connor (Aus/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) +9mins 47secs

5. Antonio Tiberi (Ita/Bahrain Victorious) +10mins 29secs

6. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Ineos Grenadiers) +11mins 10secs

7. Romain Bardet (Fra/DSM-Firmenich PostNL) +12mins 42secs

8. Einer Rubio (Col/Movistar) +13mins 33secs

9. Filippo Zana (Ita/Jayco-AlUla) +13mins 52secs

10. Jan Hirt (Cze/Soudal Quick-Step) +14mins 44secs