Julian Arredondo was caught just 2.5km from the line in yesterday’s Giro stage despite being involved in a race long breakaway but his consolation is the King of the Mountains Jersey.

He inherited the jersey from ex-Maglia Rosa Michael Matthews and has a comfortable 14 point lead over Diego Ulissi, who has 35 points and gained the majority of his points by winning two summit finishes and is not expected to chase the jersey.

“My main objective was the stage,” Arredondo - fifth overall in Tirreno-Adriatico this spring after performing well on nearby climbs to stage eight - told reporters afterwards.

"That’s why I was in the break and with a few kilometres left to go I actually thought I could make it.”

Despite failing in his objective, he is pleased with his consolation prize.

“But it’s good to be in the lead of the King of the Mountains competition, too, and the important thing overall was that I proved I could be up there.”

“The team have given me a great opportunity to do well in this year’s Giro, and I hope I’ll be able to pay them back some day.”