Tinkoff-Saxo tried to up the pace on the steep part of the final climb in today's ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia but the rider who benefited the most from the increased pace was Domenico Pozzovivo. The Italian made a brave attack to gain 30 seconds on his rivals and Rafal Majka's team is now considering the Italian as a serious threat.

After yesterday’s first real mountain battle among the favorites where Tinkoff-Saxo’s Rafal Majka moved up to third overall and officially took over the white jersey, today’s 172 kilometer long 9th stage offered an almost similar landscape. A rather long and flat stretch starting in Lugo but along the way to Sestola, the geography changed and in the finale an uphill finish over 20 kilometers created a beautiful scenery for another GC in-fight.
 
However, a breakaway consisting of 14 riders set out to steal the limelight while the peloton were chasing. On paper, Peter Weening (Orica GreenEdge) seemed like the best climber of the break but no one was a threat to Cadel Evans’ overall lead. But he ordered his troops to do a furious chase from the descent heading down to the foot of the uphill finish and eventually they were joined by Garmin-Sharp. Tinkoff-Saxo gathered around Rafal Majka throughout the stage perfectly making sure, he was kept out of trouble.
 
Entering the final climb, Weening took off from the front group and as David Malacarne (Europcar) joined him, they quickly built up a promising lead. Behind, theTinkoff-Saxo boys went to the front of the pack to pick up the pace. But no on was able to prevent Domenico Pozzovivo (ALM) from leaping up the road threatening Evans’ lead and BMC were forced to respond.
 
The front duo made it to the finish line and Weening was the faster of the two and he took the stage win. Pozzovivi finished third and the chase group including Tinkoff-Saxo’s Rafal Majka crossed the finish line 26 seconds behind the ALM-rider.
 
Majka retained overall third while Pozzovivo is fourth:
 
“Once again, the boys rode a good stage,” said DS Lars Michaelsen after the stage. "Rafal was well-protected throughout the day and he directed the boys to the front on the steepest part of the slope to pick up the pace, which is a very good sign. However, Pozzovivo really entered the GC as well and is now considered a serious threat.

"Now, we’re looking forward to the first real rest day as the first was merely a transfer day from Ireland to Italy. The boys will be riding a few hours and otherwise rest at the hotel. On Tuesday, we take on a slightly undulating stage but not a stage for GC rivalship, I guess."
 
Cadel Evans hung on to the lead.