Oropa, 24th of May – 2014
The scene was set for a spectacular mountain stage on today’s 164 kilometer long 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia from Aglié to the mountain top finish in Oropa and Tinkoff-Saxo’s Nicolas Roche was once again in contention for victory.
The French Irishman leaped away from the front group near the top of the penultimate climb and secured maximum mountain jersey points while teammate, Rafal Majka with waterproof alibi could stay on the wheel of his nearest rivals, Rigoberto Uran (Omega-Pharma Quick Step) and Cadel Evans (BMC).
On the descent, Albert Timmer (Giant-Shimano) and Manuel Quinziato (BMC) managed to create a gap to the front group but unfortunately for the latter, he suffered a mechanical problem and was swept up by the chase group while Timmer thundered away towards the summit. But Timmer was caught by the chasers with 2 kilometers to go
Behind, Pozzovivo (ALM) was the first of the favorites to attack and only, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) had the legs to respond it seemed as if they would simply crack everyone but Tinkoff-Saxo’s Rafal Majka fought heroically behind and worked his way up while distancing the leader of the race, Rigoberto Uran and Cadel Evans as well.
Majka
Up the road, Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani) took the stage win ahead of Dario Cataldo (Sky) and Matteo Cattaneo (Lampre).
Tinkoff-Saxo’s Rafal Majka retained third but took time on both Evans and the leader of the race, Rigoberto Uran:
“All the boys did their job very well today. Rafal was well-protected until the finale where he managed to take time on the two riders ahead of him in the general classification due to a well-disposed effort on the final climb. Nico had a good dig not the penultimate climb but was caught just by the foot of the final climb. Tomorrow, there’s another grueling mountain stage but Rafal looks very strong and we’ll be there to support him,” said DS, Lars Michaelsen.
GC after stage 14:
1 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 57:52:51
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:32
3 Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:01:35
4 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:11
5 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:02:33
6 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:03:04
7 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:03:16
8 Wout Poels (Ned) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 0:04:01
9 Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:05:07
10 Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Trek Factory Racing 0:05:13
