Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran Uran won stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday, taking control of the leader’s maglia rosa from Cadel Evans following a 41.9km individual time trial.
While Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider Uran claimed his first individual time-trial success after posting a best time of 57 minutes, 34 seconds, Australia’s Evans of BMC Racing endured a difficult day in the Piedmont vineyards, finishing third, 1 minute, 34 seconds down on the Colombian, to relinquish the overall lead.
Italy’s Diego Ulissi of Lampre-Merida was second, 1:17 adrift, in a rain-hit stage that saw Uran take a 37-second lead from Evans in the general classification.
Photo: EPA
“It’s incredible, I’m really surprised. I didn’t think that I would win it,” said a delighted Uran, who became the first Colombian to wear the maglia rosa following his second career Giro stage victory. “I’ve been doing a lot of work over the winter. I was fourth in the Tour of Romandie [individual time trial] and so that was a good sign. I’m lost for words — it’s incredible.”
Meanwhile, Evans struggled to negotiate drying roads as the rain subsided just before the final riders tackled the course.
His time through the first intermediate checkpoint was only good enough for ninth, but the veteran Aussie began to close the gap on his rivals over the latter part, with the notable exception of Uran.
“I wasn’t able to give everything,” said Evans, who came close to sliding off the road at the finish. “I had said these past few days that Rigoberto seemed relaxed, but I didn’t expect that he would be as strong.”
However, a philosophical Evans claimed losing the overall lead was not necessarily the worst outcome.
“To lose the pink jersey is not a tragedy. It’s perhaps even an advantage given what awaits us,” the 2011 Tour de France champion said.
As for an under-the-weather Nairo Quintana of Movistar, one of the pre-race favorites, he lost 2:41 to his fellow countryman Uran on the day, leaving him almost 3:30 off the lead.
“I gave it my all right the way through, but I found it difficult to breathe. I hope that things will get better,” said Quintana, who was complaining of a throat infection.
Polish cyclist Rafal Majka of Tinkoff-Saxo, who was fourth in Thursday’s time trial, is third overall at 1:52, with climbing specialist Domenico Pozzovivo of AG2R La Mondiale fourth at 2:32.
Uran, silver medalist in the men’s road race at the 2012 London Olympics, finished second in last year’s Giro having initially started the race in support of Sky Pro Cycling leader Bradley Wiggins, who abandoned the event after 12 stages.
Yesterday’s stage 13, a 157km ride from Fossano to Rivarolo, was set to provide the sprinters with one final chance to impress before the race heads to the mountains.
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