For the most part of the 8th stage of the Giro d'Italia, 186 km from Fiuggi to the summit finish in Campitello Matese, Przemyslaw Niemiec was wearing the virtual pink jersey as leader of the overall classification.

The climber from Team LAMPRE-MERIDA who started today with a gap of 5'10" to Contador in the overall standing, joined a 12-rider breakaway that began in the first kilometers of the 2nd category climb of Forca d'Acero, after the first hour of the race was covered at a very high average speed of 47 km/h.

The bunch gave freedom to the attackers so the breakaway had a maximum advantage of 10' which gave Niemiec the virtual leadership of the classification.

Unfortunately, the broken cooperation between the attackers and the work by Astana in the peloton reduced the gap and on the final climb neutralized the breakaway: only Intxausti could escape the chase and he won the stage.

Niemiec crossed the finish line in 33rd position, behind teammate Polanc who was 27th at 2'30". LAMPRE-MERIDA received the award as Super Team of the stage with finish in Fiuggi.

Niemiec explained: "The start of the stage was very fast and in the bunch everyone made efforts to be in the front positions. 

"For today, I wanted to check my condition and there was the idea of trying to join a breakaway, so I rode in the front of the peloton and I chose to follow an attack which I considered as good.

"In fact, that was the good breakaway and we could get an interesting advantage. Unfortunately, the main riders wanted to battle on the final climb, so the pace of the group was higher. Intxausti still had some power and he used it to hold off the chase, obtaining the victory. 

"It was nice to ride thinking I was in the pink jersey."