This Giro d’Italia will always be remembered as a disappointing one for Team Sky after the exit of Mikel Landa, but fellow Spaniard Mikel Nieve provided consolation on stage 13 with a fine solo win in the Julian Alps.
The race’s first foray into the high mountains saw blows traded between the overall contenders, and Bob Jungels (Etixx-QuickStep), dropped on the final climb, was forced to hand his maglia rosa over to Movistar’s Andrey Amador.
Nieve, who won a stage at the Giro five years ago, made his way into the large breakaway on the opening first-category climb before making his stage-winning move on the penultimate ascent – the first-category Cima Porzus. A long solo ride ensued; down the descent, up the final second-category climb of Valle, back down the mountain and then through the flat run-in to Cividale del Fruili.
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"After the abandon of Landa, it was very disappointing; the Giro team was of course a little low on morale," said Nieve. "We wanted to win stages and we are very happy to do it today.
"After getting in the break I felt good. I was good on the climbs but the descents were very complicated. Thankfully I managed to get down them on my own."
Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) was second, 43 seconds back, having also been part of the break, the Italian once again choosing to plough on rather than drop back for his teammates, who had pink in their sights.
Watch Giro d'Italia stage 13 video highlights
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