Steven Kruijswijk blasts rivals in Giro d’Italia mountain time trial as Nibali fades
Giro d'Italia leader Steven Kruijswijk extended advantage at the top of the general classification as Vincenzo Nibali had trouble
Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) bettered all of his general classification rivals on the crucial mountain time trial stage of the 2016 Giro d'Italia on Sunday.
Having taken the race lead after the previous day's stage, the Dutchman went into the day to try and defend his position. However, he did better than that - finishing a close second to surprise stage winner Alexander Foliforov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) and extending his lead at the top of the overall standing.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) had started the stage as Kruijswijk's closest rival, 41 seconds adrift overall. However, disaster struck for the Italian favourite as he dropped his chain and his rear derailleur appeared to get snapped off the frame.
Despite a swift bike change from the Astana mechanic, Nibali was already off the pace. He then had an issue with a spectator getting too close, shoving the running fan to one side. He ended the stage in 25th place and 2-10 down on Kruijswijk.
>>> Giro d'Italia 2016: Latest news, reports and info
Kruijswijk now leads the previous day's stage winner Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) by a significant two minute and 12 second advantage overall, with Nibali slipping to third at 2-51.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) put in a decent ride to keep hold of his fourth spot overall at 3-29.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
One of the biggest losers of the day was Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale), who finished in 50th place, 3-18 down on Kruijswijk, and slipped out of the top 10.
Having made little impression on the Giro so far, the Gazprom-Rusvelo team not only won the stage with 24-year-old Russian Foliforov, but also got a fourth place with Sergey Firsanov.
>>> Giro d’Italia leader Steven Kruijswijk’s mountain time trial bike revealed
With the entire route uphill at an average of around eight per cent, all of the riders elected to ride their normal road bikes with only a few adding short, clip-on aerobars - including Kruijswijk.
The riders have the third and final rest day of the 2016 Giro on Monday, before the action resumes on Tuesday with stage 16, back into the mountains with a 132km route from Bressanone to Andalo.
Results
Giro d'Italia 2016, stage 15: Castelrotto to Alpe di Siusi, 10.8km
1. Alexander Foliforov (Rus) Gazprom-Rusvelo in 28-39
2. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo at same time
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 23 secs
4. Sergey Firsanov (Rus) Gazprom-Rusvelo at 30 secs
5. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Astana at 36 secs
6. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge at 40 secs
7. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 47 secs
8. Joe Dombrowski (USA) Cannondale at 52 secs
9. Bob Jungels (Lux) Etixx-QuickStep at 1-04
10. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff at 1-09
General classification after stage 15
1. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo in 60-41-22
2. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge at 2-12
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 2-51
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 3-29
5. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff at 4-38
6. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 4-40
7. Andrey Amador (CRc) Movistar at 5-27
8. Bob Jungels (Lux) Etixx-QuickStep at 7-14
9. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Dimension Data at 7-37
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana at 7-55
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Colnago ditches the traditional diamond frame for its radical new Y1Rs - 'the most aerodynamic UCI-compliant road bike in the World Tour'
Designed in conjunction with Team UAE and the result of years of innovative R&D Colnago's Y1Rs cuts a progressive departure from the existing VR4s. Is this the shape of things to come?
By Luke Friend Published
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Cian Uijtdebroeks turns up to Jumbo-Visma training camp in black kit
The 20-year-old, at the centre of Bora-Hansgrohe v Jumbo-Visma storm, headed out on a ride with his new teammates
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Michel Hessman facing lengthy doping ban
German rider previously suspended by Jumbo-Visma after positive anti-doping test
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Wout van Aert to target Giro d'Italia general classification in 2024
Belgian will target top five finish at Italian Grand Tour as leader of Jumbo-Visma, according to reports
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma among teams working on new pro racing league
According to Reuters, around five teams are in the early talks for a new competition
By Adam Becket Published
-
Merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step is off, reports
The new super-team is apparently now not happening, according to the Belgian press
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič joins Bora-Hansgrohe from Jumbo-Visma
'He's one of the best riders in the world' Bora boss Ralph Denk on German team's 'inspirational' new signing
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma and Quick-Step merger set to leave cycling's top rank a team short
Cycling's governing body warns that it must comply with regulations, specifically relating to contracts for all team staff
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič should ride for 'the smartest man in cycling', says Brian Holm
Holm says Roglič would be a good fit for Ineos Grenadiers to help reclaim former glory under Rod Ellingworth
By Tom Thewlis Published