Domenico Pozzovivo was left frustrated yesterday after Nairo Quintana refused to give him a turn after the two men escaped the Maglia Rosa group yesterday on the final climb to Oropa.

 "He said he was at his limit but he clearly wasn't by the way he jumped me in sight of the line," Pozzovivo said angrily of Quintana, as he wrapped a towel around his neck after crossing the finish line.

"I wanted to try something and Quintana came up to me but he wouldn't pull through. The idea of the attack was to gain time on the pink jersey but we won’t do that if we play games."

Pozzovivo of Ag2r-La Mondiale took 21 seconds back from Uran and 17 on previous Maglia Rosa Evans and despite still being 4th overall at 2:11 he is convinced he is the best climber in the race.

"I lost a little speed in the finale, but it was a good try. I took back a little time. But we cannot let these opportunities go by without trying," he said, buoyed by his performance.

"Uran perhaps paid for his huge effort in the time trial but I think I showed I'm the strongest on the climbs now. I think we all saw that. It's a good sign, and I'll try again tomorrow (Sunday) too!"