Julian Arredondo claimed stage 18 of this year’s Giro d’Italia today, with a solo victory atop the final category 1 climb of Rifugo Panarotta.
Meanwhile, Fabio Duarte finished in second place at 17 seconds behind, with Philip Deignan rounding out the podium in third spot at 37 seconds back.
“After San Luis, where I won two stages, the Giro became my principal objective for the season,” Arredondo said of the Tour de San Luis, which Quintana won. “It’s going better than I could have dreamed. I have a stage, and I have the climber’s jersey … I am so happy. I still cannot believe it.”
Duarte added: “Arredondo made a strong attack, and I couldn’t bring him in back. He went very strong on the final climb. I wanted to win but it wasn’t possible.”
In the meantime, Nairo Quintana retained his hold on the overall race lead, after finishing in 10th place today – at 2:46 back.
Rigoberto Uran remains in second place in the overall GC – at 1:41 behind Quintana.
Pierre Rolland managed to move up into third spot in the GC, after attacking Quintana’s group during the late moments of today’s final climb.
Cadel Evans struggled during most of today’s stage – subsequently falling from 3rd spot in the GC, all the way back to 9th. The Australian rider now sits 4:59 behind Quintana.
Race Highlights
During the final 4 kilometers, Arrendondo succeeded in riding clear from what remained of the day’s breakaway group. And, despite being chased by his compatriot, Fabio Duarte, the Colombian rider managed to hold him off until the finish.
Behind Arrendondo and Duarte, a battle amongst a few of the GC contenders came underway.
Unfortunately for Evans, he was dropped by the group 5 kilometers from the finish, while Pierre Rolland, Fabio Aru and Rafal Majka managed to surge ahead during the final climb of the Panarotta, to move up in the overall GC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMpaB3gwIak
Stage 18 Results
COL 1 ARREDONDO MORENO, Julian David (TREK FACTORY RACING) 4:49:51 COL 2 DUARTE AREVALO, Fabio Andres (COLOMBIA) + 17 IRL 3 DEIGNAN, Philip (SKY) + 37 ITA 4 PELLIZOTTI, Franco (ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI) + 1:20 ITA 5 ZARDINI, Edoardo (BARDIANI CSF) + 1:24 BEL 6 DE GENDT, Thomas (OMEGA PHARMA – QUICK-STEP) + 1:38 ITA 7 BASSO, Ivan (CANNONDALE) + 1:43 ITA 8 CATALDO, Dario (SKY) + 1:59 ITA 9 ARU, Fabio (ASTANA) + 2:43 COL 10 QUINTANA ROJAS, Nairo Alexander (MOVISTAR) + 2:46
General Classification after Stage 18 COL 1 QUINTANA ROJAS, Nairo Alexander (MOVISTAR) 77:58:08 COL 2 URAN URAN, Rigoberto (OMEGA PHARMA – QUICK-STEP) + 1:41 FRA 3 ROLLAND, Pierre (EUROPCAR) + 3:29 ITA 4 ARU, Fabio (ASTANA) + 3:31 POL 5 MAJKA, Rafal (TINKOFF-SAXO) ITA 6 POZZOVIVO, Domenico (AG2R LA MONDIALE) + 3:52 CAN 7 HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN SHARP) + 4:32 NED 8 KELDERMAN, Wilco (BELKIN) + 4:37 AUS 9 EVANS, Cadel (BMC RACING) + 4:59 CRO 10 KISERLOVSKI, Robert (TREK FACTORY RACING) + 8:33
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