Izagirre wins Giro 16th stage

FALZES, Italy (AFP) –

Spanish cyclist Jon Izagirre of Euskatel competes in the last kilometers of the 16th stage of the Tour of Italy. Izagirre’s solo break paid off as the Euskaltel rider won the 16th stage of the Tour of Italy here on Tuesday.

Spaniard Jon Izagirre’s solo break paid off as the Euskaltel rider won the 16th stage of the Tour of Italy here on Tuesday.

Fellow Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez of the Katusha team retained the overall leader’s pink jersey a day before the race heads to the northern Dolomite mountains.

Izagirre pulled ahead of a group of nine fellow escapees in a climb just 4km from the line, to claimed his first success for the Euskaltel team.

The 23-year-old, who turned professional last year, finished 15sec ahead of Italy’s Alessandro De Marchi and Dutch rider Stef Clement.

It was his second career win after a time-trial stage in the Tour of Asturias in April.

After a fast-paced first hour in the saddle a break-away group of ten riders moved ahead after 61km of the 173km stage, building up a lead of 12min 30sec just 25km from the line.

But Izagirre took control in the final 2.3km climb ahead of compatriot Jose Herrada and Swiss Matthias Frank.

The peloton crossed the line nine minutes behind the leaders.

Wednesday’s stage covers 186km from Falzes to Cortina d’Ampezzo and includes four climbs, including one to 2236 metres altitude 18km from the line.