In today´s 11th stage 161 kilometers took the riders across the Apeninnes over four categorized climbs and two intermediate sprints. It was a perfect day for a breakaway to make it to the finish.
Right from the start the pace was quite high, especially Team Movistar took the control over every move in the peloton. Therefore, many riders were already dropped on the first climb of the day.
With an attack of two riders the peloton felt apart into smaller groups. With 90 kilometers remaining the two guys were in front of the race with 2 minutes’ gap to the chasing group, which included 23 riders.
On the last 20 kilometers, the race went on fire with several attacks out from the first chasing group. At last a four-man group was able to build a small gap but on the last meters they were caught by the chase group. A sprint of about ten riders started on the final meters, as former escapee O. Fraile (Dimension Data) took the win.
In the group of favorites, Nibali forced a split on the last climb. Just 16 riders finished the race in a group 1:37 behind the stage winner.
American Tejay VanGarderen has not been having a good race. The team is assessing his participation after he lost 20 minutes in today’s stage.
