(Reuters) -Luke Plapp of Jayco AlUla won stage eight of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday with a formidable solo effort on the 197 km ride from Giulianova to Castelraimondo while Diego Ulissi became the first Italian in four years to take the pink jersey.

After nearly 20 riders formed a breakaway group with 100 km to go, Plapp attacked the Montelago climb and the Australian did not look back as he rode to victory by a handsome margin to claim his first Grand Tour stage win.