As a former Italian TT champion, Dario Cataldo targeted today's time trial in the Giro d'Italia but the Italian was one of the most unfortunate, doing the race in rainy conditions. He ended the day in 11th while his Sky teammate Kanstantsin Siutsou finished 15th to move up one spot in the overall standings.
Kanstantsin Siutsou moved up the general classification after a gruelling stage 12 time trial at the Giro d’Italia.
Placing 15th on the stage, the Belarusian national champion rose one place to 18th overall following the 42.2-kilometre test into Barolo.
Despite the wet roads, Dario Cataldo also set a strong time on the undulating course to finish 11th, one of just 12 riders to come in under the hour mark on a key day in the fight for overall honours and the Maglia Rosa.
The day belonged to Rigoberto Uran, with the former Team Sky rider pulling out a stirring performance against the clock to win the stage by one minute and 17 seconds, moving into the race lead in the process.
The Omega Pharma – Quick-Step rider was the penultimate man off the start ramp in Barbaresco and got quicker as the stage wore on, eventually unseating Diego Ulissi, who had spent the second half of the afternoon on the stage win hot seat.
Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) rode hard to make up ground after a slow opening split, eventually finishing third on the stage, 1:34 back on the day’s winner. That allowed the tables to turn, with Uran opening out a 37-second advantage at the top of the leaderboard – becoming the first Colombian to don the famous pink jersey.
Siutsou now sits 7:31 back on the lead with scope to move up general classification in the tough mountain stages to come.
"It was a good ride today from the guys," said Sports Director Dario Cioni after the stage. "Cataldo just missed out on the top 10 and Kosta was 15th.
"It was important that Kosta had a good ride for GC. He’s moved up one place and I’m sure he can kick on from there.
"Cataldo wanted to do well, especially having been Italian TT champion in the past. He was a bit unlucky with the weather going out in the middle of the rain. If you look at the results Rigo would certainly have been out of reach but he could well have been in the top five in good conditions. It’s good to see him competing well and putting in a solid ride. On a course like this it’s not as if you can hide away.
"Tomorrow’s stage looks like another sprint stage. We have Ben (Swift) and Eddy up there. It’s possibly one of the last stages for the sprinters. Soon we’ll be heading into the mountains and the race takes on a different complexion."
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