Italy’s Fabio Aru of Astana claimed a solo victory on the tough uphill finish to Montecampione in the 15th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday for his first Grand Tour victory.
Aru made his move with 2.5km remaining and finished 21 seconds ahead of Fabio Duarte of Colombia. Movistar’s Nairo Quintana edged out Pierre Rolland of Europcar for third place, 22 seconds behind.
“I’m very happy,” a tearful Aru said after crossing the line. “It’s thanks to my teammates, who have been amazing, not only today, but all race. This win is for them. It’s really pleasing, but I still have a lot to learn and to grow. I still can’t believe it.”
Photo: EPA
The 23-year-old Aru also cut into Rigoberto Uran’s overall lead and is now in fourth place — 2 minutes, 24 seconds behind the Colombian Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider.
Uran extended his advantage over his closest challengers and he is 1:03 ahead of BMC Racing’s Cadel Evans and 1:50 ahead of Rafal Majka of Tinkoff-Saxo.
“It was a long day and the teams were very strong today,” Uran said. “I’m happy, now there’s a rest day and then the Giro continues.”
It was another stage dedicated to the late Marco Pantani, who had a memorable victory up to Montecampione on his way to winning the 1998 Giro.
Pantani also went on to win the Tour de France that year.
He was found dead in a hotel room on Valentine’s Day in 2004 and a coroner ruled he died from cocaine poisoning.
The previous two times a Giro stage has finished up Montecampione, the winner has gone on to claim the race.
The stage was mainly flat along the 225km route from Valdengo, before the final long and steep climb.
The break of the day was formed of 12 riders and they had a 10-minute lead with 78km remaining, before the peloton — driven by Neri Sottoli — started to reel them in.
The escapees had an advantage of 2:24 at the base of the climb, where Australian Adam Hansen of Lotto-Belisol was the first to make a move.
He was joined first by Garmin-Sharp’s Andre Cardoso, and then Trek Factory Racing’s Fabio Felline and Rodolfo Torres of Colombia, while Julian Arredondo of Trek attacked from the peloton. They had less than a minute’s lead with 14.5km remaining.
Arredondo took over the lead with Cardoso, but the duo were caught and immediately passed by Sky Pro Cycling’s Philip Deignan, who had a 20-second advantage with 5km left.
Rolland attacked and caught up with Deignan, and the pair had an advantage of 36 seconds before Aru made his move, bringing Uran with him.
Quintana and Duarte also attacked and the quartet caught the leading duo.
Aru then attacked again, chased by Duarte, Quintana and Rolland as Uran dropped off, after deciding he could not keep up with the pace.
Yesterday was the third and final rest day of this year’s Giro, before arguably its toughest stage today with the iconic climbs up the Stelvio and Gabbia — weather permitting.
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