Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) achieved fourth place in today’s demanding and rain-soaked Giro d’Italia stage, which included a summit finish at the brutally steep Monte Jafferau (eight km at 9% average gradient) and remains 17th overall.

His lieutenant, Egoi Martinez, made it into the breakaway of the day but was eventually swallowed up by the chasing peloton along with his breakaway companions. 

For Euskaltel Euskadi team leader Samuel Sánchez today’s fourth place confirms the signs of improvement he has shown over the last few days of racing and he looked confident as he came bouncing out of the fog on the Jafferau gaining time on everybody except stage winner Santambrogio (Vini Fantini – Selle Italia), overall leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Colombian climbing specialist Carlos Betancur (AG2R). Based on today’s performance, Sánchez may look forward to Sunday’s stage with confidence. 

Tomorrow sees stage 15, the layout of which remains uncertain. Officials have confirmed the climb to the Mont-Cenis colossus and the removal of the last 4km of the Galibier climb after passing the Telegraphe, with the finish line in Les Granges near the Marco Pantani monument but that may change if the weather causes problems.