Katusha has had a lot of bad luck in the Giro d'Italia and today things again turned sour for the Russian team. Albero Losada and Eduard Vorganov had both made he right breakaway but crashes took them both out of contention.

After yesterday’s grueling stage that included both the Gavia and the Stelvio, Wednesday’s stage 17 in the Giro d’Italia was more of a rolling ‘rest day’ for the main field. But a breakaway of some 25 riders saw plenty of action and included Team Katusha riders Alberto Losada and Eduard Vorganov.

“It was really bad luck for our team," Losada said. "Oscar Gatto and Simon Geschke crashed in front of me. I had to brake and lost contact as the other got away. It was impossible for me to come closed in the descent. It was so slippery so there was no way. I am really disappointed.”

On the last uphill rise, Thomas De Gendt attacked his breakaway group, eventually taking four other riders with him. While this group worked well together through the technical course that included many turns and roundabouts, efforts began to fall apart as they approached the 1km to go banner. Stefano Pirazzi from Bardiani-CSF seized the opportunity to attack just before the red kit and while the others looked at each other, the Italian sprinted away to take a win.  Second place went to Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) and third to Jay McCarthy of TInkoff-Saxo.

“I felt so good all day and then suddenly, just in front of that roundabout, my front wheel slipped away," Vorganov said. "It was over and out for my hopes of getting a podium spot.”

Team director José Azevedo added: “I am happy that our riders showed their fighting spirit. We really trusted in our guys in the front but bad luck hit us again and it’s not the first time this Giro.  But we won't give up.”

There was no change on the general classification with Nairo Quintana (Movistar) still in the lead by 1.41 to Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and 3.21 to BMC’s Cadel Evans.  Tomorrow the Giro returns to the mountains on a 171 km stage that begins in Belluno and ends on the category 1 Rigugio Panarotta.