We are getting closer and closer to the end of this Giro 'd Italia, but before everything is as good as settled we need to go through this very hard mountain stage. There's 3 mountains, and the last two of them are both very steep and long. Unfortunately, there's a short downhill part right after the last mountain, but I'm sure it will still be an enjoyable stage (for some )
Today's first break: Halgand (for like the 3rd day in row), Ulissi, Boom, Marichal and Hulsmans. This group quickly split up as soon as they hit the first mountain. Halgand left Boom, Ulissi and Hulsmans who had already dropped Marichal.
Fast forward to the 2nd mountain. Marichal, Boom, Ulissi and Hulsmans are caught, but Halgand is still in front with a 7-minute-gap. Behind him, Botero has attacked solo. Soon after, Marzoli goes after him.
Near the top, Botero catches Halgand. They ride together for a short while before Halgand has to let go who then drops back to Marzoli. At the top, Botero has a gap of 4 minutes to the peloton.
Marzoli drops Halgand on the descent, and Halgand is really looking toasted. On the flat part before the last mountain, Halgand is caught by the peloton. It's looking good for Botero, though. He has managed to increase his lead to 5'36 minutes.
In the peloton, it's heating up. Piepoli launches an attack and is being followed by Ricco who has to protect his podium spot. Schleck also realizes the trouble and atacks. And then, it's Cunego-time again. Surprisingly, Cunego can't attack for long, and he ends up in the Piepoli-Schleck-Ricco-group. From the peloton, Sella launches a powerful attack and flies past the group!
The Cunego-group is caught, simply because there really wasn't any reason for any of them to work. Botero is still in front of Sella.
Just at the top of the mountain, the peloton is being splitted apart, and on the downhill it's looking like this:
E1 - Botero
E2 - Nocentini, Parra, Bruseghin, Cunego, Sella, Schleck, Ricco, Piepoli, Lopez Garcia, Gadret and Perez Cuapio
E3 - Basically any other climber / GC-favourite
On the short hill before the finish, Sella is caught, and many of the contenders are trying to get away, including Schleck and Cunego. But the only one who really manages to get away is Parra Pinto. He goes past Botero, and it's looking really good for him now. He just needs to get down safely.
Speaking of safely .. a crash on the descent! Down are Garzelli, Cardenas, Savoldelli, Simoni and Cataluña. Reports are that the last three got back on the bike, but that ... Garzelli, currently placed 4th, and Cardenas, are out of the Giro!
But despite that, Parra Pinto is crusing to victory. Triumph for the France TV-team!
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