Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Rory Sutherland made sure to represent the Danish squad in today’s big break on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia that started in French Valloire and ended 238 hilly kilometers later in Ivrea in Italy.
But Katusha and RadioShack were not happy with the situation and pushed the field to get the escapees brought back. In the front group Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Rory Sutherland played a very active role in the attacks. Although a new breaks took off, it was a short respite.
On the last steep climb before the finish line sat Saxo-Tinkoff’s Rafal Majka forefront of the field. Michele Scarponi (Lampre) opened with an attack in which Astana dampened the break by setting a high pace that sorted out the sprinters.
An attack from jersey holder Carlos Betancur (ALM) renewed tension on the stage and he was soon joined by Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel). On the descent several joined with the front including Saxo-Tinkoff’s Rafal Majka. On the final flat kilometers towards the finish line were a series of attacks from different riders. At the finish line Benat Intxausti (Movistar) was the strongest in the sprint.
Rafal Majka finished the stage among other race favorites in the chase group in eighth place. “Our goal with the stage was to be represented in the large break, we figured to hold to the finish. At the same time we should take Rafa out of trouble and not least the whole front of the field on the final climb before the finish. Both succeeded. Rafa was otherwise down at the car to say that he was not particularly good start, and the starting point was it very uplifting to see him sit so easily with the utmost on a day like today. Tomorrow I believe in a rare chance for the sprinters, and we must be represented in any future outbreak, if there is more than 8 riders, “said sports director Dan Frost. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) leads the race.
