For the fourth time in his career, Fabio Duarte finished second in a stage of the Giro d'Italia when he was beaten by compatriot Julian Arredondo in today's stage 18. The Colombian promises to continue his fight all the way to the finish in Trieste.

Another breathtaking mountain stage for Team Colombia and all its fans ended with Fabio Duarte taking another superb 2nd place in this Giro d’Italia‘s edition, this time at the top finish in Rifugio Panarotta. In the presence of Coldeportes‘ Director and Colombian Sports Minister Andres Botero, Duarte was just 17 seconds shy of the stage win, ended up in Trek Julian Arredondo‘s hands. The Colombian domination was rounded out by Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who confidently held on the GC leader’s maglia rosa.

The first ascent of the day, San Pellegrino Pass, was where the day’s breakaway started: a strong 14-man group including Duarte, Arredondo, Franco Pellizotti (Androni Giocattoli), Dario Cataldo (Team Sky) and Ivan Basso (Cannondale), managed to break clear of the bunch led by Movistar, opening a 7-minute maximum advantage and getting at the foot fo the final ascent to Rifugio Panarotta with the gap just under 5 minutes.

Belgian De Gendt was the first to attack from the breakaway, but his acceleration was replied – at different times – by Arredondo, Duarte, Pellizotti, Cataldo and Deignan. After an acceleration by Pellizotti with 4 km to go, bridged by Duarte and Arredondo, the latter launched his own attack, with only Duarte going for the chase. It was a breathtaking 3-km uphill time trial for the two Colombians, with Duarte giving his heart out to reduce the gap to the Countryman, who still got first to the finish, emptied of every energy.

The duel provided huge excitement among the fans on the finish in Panarotta, where Duarte took the fourth 2nd place at the Giro in his career.

“Hats off to Arredondo, who did great today, but it was a pity for us, as I think our team’s performance at the Giro really deserves a stage win. I was feeling well today, and tried to ride smartly until it came down to Arredondo and me only. Today it was him raising arms on the finish, and we will try again. There are a few chances left, but we will not give up until it is over,” Duarte said.

Tomorrow, Friday May 30th, the riders will face a tough uphill time trial, starting in Bassano del Grappa up to the Cima Grappa ascent (26,8 km).