It was a strong performance by the climbers Edoardo Zardini and Stefano Pirazzi in the first mountaintop finish of of Giro del Trentino.

From the Bardiani team, young neo-pro Simone Sterbini who was part of the early breakaway, also got some attention and he was the final rider together with Postlberger (Tirol) to give up on the penultimate climb, the steep Passo Santa Barbara, that whittled the peloton down to a group of less than 20 riders with Zardini and Pirazzi.

After a fast descent, the stage was decided on the final 8km climb. When the riders arrived at the bottom of the last 3km, the most demanding, Richie Porte jumped on the wheel of Pirazzi who made a first attempt and went solo to win, beating Landa (Astana) while Zardini was in the first chasing group and finished 6th on the finish line. Behind him, Stefano Pirazzi was 8th.

”I was confident that I would be competitive in Trentino," Zardini said. "During the last training weeks, I had good signals. After a strong selection on the Passo Santa Barbara, we tried a bit of team play with Pirazzi on the final climb. He attacked at the bottom of the steepest part but Porte came so fast and showed that he was the strongest today. Behind him, I always led the chasers, trying to not lose too many seconds. I can be satisfied, apartom from Porte the other GC conteders seem to be on my level and tomorrow I aim to do better in a new demanding stage."

”As team we did a really good race," manager Roberto Reverberi said. "I’m pleased to have seen Simone Sterbini in the early breakaway and then Zardini and Pirazzi with the best on the decisive two last climbs. Edoardo did a smart race. He has the goal of the general classification and today he raced with the right attitude while Stefano tried  to go solo several times. When he does this, it means that he’s coming intp shape.

"Now we look to tomorrow's mountain stage that seems much harder than today's. I want a confirmation from Zardini and Pirazzi plus a response from Bongiorno who was dropped from the best on the Santa Barbara climb today."