FRANCAVILLA AL MARE, Italy (AP) — Italian cyclist Jonathan Milan sprinted to victory at the end of the 11th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday, while Tadej Pogacar kept his firm grip on the leader’s pink jersey.

Milan, who rides for the Lidl-Trek team, edged out Tim Merlier and Kaden Groves in a bunch sprint that was made even more chaotic by the headwind at the finish at Francavilla al Mare.

Merlier hit the front first and must have thought he was set for his second win in this year’s race but Milan blasted past him on the left to instead become the man to double up — after he also sprinted to victory on the fourth stage.

“I think today it’s just unbelievable what the guys did for me,” Milan said. “I have to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for this. I’m so happy to see their happy faces.

“It’s always tricky the final, how to predict him (Merlier) and how to move … In the end I found myself on his wheel. I think it was the perfect wheel. He started his sprint really, really, really strong but then I tried to make mine and it went good.”