The first uphill finish provided a great show and an impressive win by Kanstantsin Siutstou (Team Sky). "Wiggins left us the chance to try something, and I took the opportunity to attack with 8 km to go, as no one was really controlling the race at that moment,", said Siutstou. "Today it was a matter of great resistance – a lengthy stage, hot weather – the kind of race that suits me very well."
French Maxime Bouet, winner of the first half-stage, in Lienz, also had a great performance (20th, 2'23" behind the winner) which allowed him to take back the leader’s jersey. "I was disappointed to have lost the lead yesterday, but it also favored me today as the team could focus on the finale, working great and leading me into a perfect position. Now I have 3'19" of a lead on GC, I don’t know if it will be enough, but I hope for a podium now. Among my opponents, Siutsou is clearly very strong, but Wiggins is spinning his legs in a really comfortable fashion."
The Belarussian attacked at 8 km to go along with Pierre Rolland and Stefano Pirazzi, eventually getting rid of his company in great style. The strong action by the 31-year-old rider appeared like a setup for the top contenders to get in the spotlight, but it didn’t prove so: Vincenzo Nibali ignited the race with 3 km to go, but Siutsou did not hesitate, taking the win with a 4” advantage on a solid Mauro Santambrogio (another man to watch at the Giro) and 19” on Nibali, followed on his wake by a relentless Bradley Wiggins. Last year’s winner Domenico Pozzovivo came in to the finish in fifth position, and looks in contention in 2013 too, even though the competition looks stronger than ever. Cadel Evans did not shine, but didn’t sink, finishing 10th at 45”. It was an encouraging test for Basso, losing a little more than a minute from Wiggins and Nibali, while Michele Scarponi and Franco Pellizotti were disappointing on the day, finishing over 4 minutes behind the winner.
Tomorrow's stage of 176.1 km:
Photo: Giro del Trentino
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