The Dutchman was first atop the Mortirolo pass before closing second in Aprica.
Steven Kruijswijk provided a superb performance with his Bianchi Oltre XR.2 in Giro d’Italia stage-16, 177 km from Pinzolo to Aprica (Northern Italy) passing first atop the Mortirolo pass – 2015 pink race’s “Pantani mountain” – and finally placing second. He got to finish line 38 seconds behind Spaniard Mikel Landa Meana, preceding the race leader Alberto Contador in one of the toughest and most anticipated stages of the whole race.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
Kruijswijk managed to keep Astana team’s strong pace on the early climbs on the Mortirolo, then he took advantage of Aru’s efforts to accelerate and hold the solo lead for some kilometers on the climb where Marco Pantani blossomed in 1994 Giro. In spite of Contador and Landa Meana’s comeback, the 28-year-old from Neunen was the best to the Mortirolo top and fought for the win until the final kilometers, finishing second ahead of the pink jersey’s holder.
KING OF CLIMBERS
Thanks to the strong streak of performances, and ultimately on the tough mountains on the day, Steven Kruijswijk moved up to the eighth position overall, while also taking over the Mountains classification’s blue jersey: a deserved reward for one of the main actors of the 2015 Giro so far.
Treviglio (Italy), 2015, May 26th
