CADEL Evans has dropped to third in the Giro d’Italia’s overall standings after Colombian climber Nairo Quintana claimed victory on the 16th stage and the race leader’s jersey...
Quintana’s hopes of fighting for the overall title this year suffered a blow when he tumbled down the standings to 3 minutes 29 seconds behind compatriot Rigoberto UranUran after the first two weeks of racing.
But on the first of several gruelling days in the mountains in this final week, the Movistar rider hoisted himself back into contention as Uran and, notably, Evans, failed to follow Quintana’s wheel on a rain-hit descent of the Stelvio climb.
Quintana completed most of the third and final climb, the 22km ascent to Val Martello/Martelltal, with former champion Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin on his wheel.
Hesjedal came over the finish line 0:07 later while Uran trailed home 4:11 off the pace and Evans crossed at 4:48.
Quintana, the runner-up at last year’s Tour de France, now leads Uran by 1:41 in the overall standings although the day’s biggest loser was Evans, who has dropped from second overnight at 1:03 to third overall at 3:21.
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