Domenico Pozzovivo could have been regarded the best climber in this year’s Giro d’Italia following his impressive showings on Passo del Lupo (Sestola) and Oropa ascents, and even though yesterday’s sole climb on Montecampione wasn’t suiting the characteristics of petite Italian perfectly, he still was expected to underline his supremacy in the mountains.

Pozzovivo tends to attack too soon on very long ascents what prevents him from being a favorite to excel on the climbs like Montecampione, but the Ag2r La Mondiale leader, enraged by apparent lack of cooperation from Quintana during their move a day before, planned just another aggressive showing during Sunday’s stage what he thoroughly explained Italian press beforehand. However, another typical feature of the 31-year old Italian is having at least one unexplainable off day during three-week events, and nothing else we could have observed yesterday, as Pozzovivo was only able to follow wheels of other race favorites near the rear end of the group, unable to respond when the likes of Fabio Aru (Astana), Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) or Nairo Quintana (Movistar) launched their attacks.

Eventually, highly disappointed Ag2r leader finished the 15th stage of the Giro d’Italia one minute thirteen seconds down on yesterday’s winner Aru, losing time to Quintana, Uran and Rafał Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) as well.

According to Italian media, Pozzovivo revealed that he was suffering from bronchitis and health problems made him unable to put on another aggressive showing on Montecampione yesterday. However, in the post-stage interviews the 31-year old climber said nothing about his poor health condition, reluctant to explain reasons of his below-par performance.

“I thought I could have done much better, but I do not really want to discuss it. This was a bad day and I will try to save my place in general [classification],” Pozzovivo told Italian media.

Currently the Ag2r La Mondiale leader is 6th in the general classification, 2 minutes 42 seconds down on maglia rosa Rigoberto Uran.