Team Sky may be out of GC contention in this year's Giro d'Italia but the team refuses to give up the ambition of being a protagonist. Today Dario Cataldo did a great ride to win the Cima Coppi prize while Sebastian Henao did the best performance of his young career by finishing in the top 10 in the hardest stage.

Dario Cataldo produced one of the most heroic rides of the season so far by attacking solo on the ascent of the Stelvio, and wrapping up the Cima Coppi prize in truly horrific conditions on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia.

Cataldo had edged ahead on the early ascent of the Gavia, and then formed part of a 10-man lead group who stayed clear on the highest climb of the race. As the riders ascended, the temperatures plummeted and Cataldo and co. braved sleet, snow and thoroughly miserable conditions as they rose towards the 2758 metre summit.

Just as the catch was about to be made, Cataldo surged clear on his own and crested the peak with no other rivals in sight.

The weather was so terrible that rumours of a neutralised descent spread throughout the peloton, but Cataldo pressed on doggedly and was still one minute and 35 seconds ahead as he began the final climb of the day.

By then eight riders had joined forces in pursuit, and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Pierre Rolland (Europcar) attacked from that group to haul Cataldo back just 17.7km from home.

Cataldo initially stayed with the duo as Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) moved up to join them, but was distanced two kilometres later as the trio worked their way up to Val Martello.

Quintana then produced a climbing masterclass of his own and claimed his first-ever Giro stage win by dropping Rolland and then dispatching of Hesjedal shortly before the summit.

The Movistar rider wrapped up his victory by an eight-second margin, with Hesejdal in second position and Rolland a distant third.

Sebastian Henao was the first Team Sky rider home in eighth position after producing the best performance of his career so far, one place ahead of Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step), who was forced to relinquish his grip on the pink jersey.

Quintana’s performance saw him rise to the top of the overall standings and build a 1min 41sec lead over Uran with Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) a further 1min 40sec adrift in third.

Cataldo eventually finished the stage in 17th position but Sports Director Dario Cioni was full of praise for his performance, and that of the youngest rider in the race, Sebastian Henao.

 "Our guys got stuck into it today and no-one really struggled out there. We had a lot of personnel on the side of the road giving out warm clothes and drinks and things. That allowed us to be active and Dario put in a really brave ride.

"He was a bit unlucky that there had been the split in the GC group because it meant Quintana, Rolland and Hesjedal went 100% until the end. Otherwise he might have stayed away. Even so, he can be really proud of his performance today, as can Swifty, Philip [Deignan] and Sebastian.

"Sebasitan did really well to be part of a really select group on the third and final climb, and I'm sure he will remember this day for many years to come.

"It's one of the first times he's ever been up there with the big guys and that will give him a big boost in confidence moving forwards. He's still only 20 years old and has a big future ahead of him."