Colombia was one of just four teams to miss the break in today's stage of the Giro d'Italia. Despite the failure, there were no hard words from sports director Valerio Tebaldi.

After Gavia and Stelvio’s cold and emotions, Team Colombia’s Escarabajos passed a quiet day in Giro d’Italia stage 17,Sarnonico-Vittorio Veneto of 202 km. For once, the riders directed by Valerio Tebaldi and Oscar Pellicioli could not be part of the breakaway that characterized the stage, and that went all the way to the finish with Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani-CSF) taking the big prize on the day. Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) had no troubles in defending the pink jersey he had conquered yesterday, ahead of the final mountain hat-trick set to decide the Giro GC.

The 26-man breakaway could only get clear after 70 km rode at a frantic pace of 52 km/h, and after trying to get into several fruitless attempts, the Escarabajos did not manage to work their way into the one that eventually proved decisive.

“It’s rare to see a stage from the very beginning on TV, so it is difficult to make people understand how tough taking part in a breakaway can be, particularly in days when a huge number of riders wants to be in it," Valerio Tebaldi explained. "Our guys have done a great job in this Giro, and today probably were not sharp and lucky enough, but I think a day like this can happen in a whole grand tour. In the end, we will be well rested for tomorrow’s mountain day.”

Meanwhile, Coldeportes Director and Colombian Sports Minister Andres Botero landed in Venice in the afternoon, along with Colombian Cycling Federation President Ramiro Valencia Cossio, and will live with the Escarabajos the final stages of the Giro d’Italia.

Tomorrow, Minister Botero will sit in the first team car to have an exclusive view on Giro d’Italia stage 18, when great mountains will get back in the spotlight on the way from Belluno to Rifugio Panarotta. San Pellegrino and Redebus passes greet the riders ahead of the final climb. It will be real climbers’ business once again, and the Escarabajos wish to keep lighting up the fans in a Giro – so far - dominated by the Colombian Tricolor.