Lobato 7th in Giro showdown’s eve
28 May 2015

Giro d'Italia (st. 17)

Spaniard sprints to top-10 finish in Lugano at penultimate chance for fastmen before Milan; calm day for Movistar Team in Giro before three consecutive, demanding mountain stages set to decide Amador's overall result (currently 4th)

"Nobody seems to take it into much account, but tomorrow's stage will be really tough," warned Chente García Acosta, sports director for the Movistar Team, during stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia, only 'easy' route during the third week of competition before three demanding, mountain stages starting on Thursday, with 170km from Melide to Verbania.

"Ologno is a steep climb, even more so at this point of the race, and what's left in this Giro will be hard for everyone." The 10km, 9.5% average ascent will still be completed with 36km to go, though without any rest afterwards as the short, sharp climbs of Piancavallo and Premeno, followed by two long descents, will be waiting for the peloton.

The Corsa Rosa's transfer into the Helvetic Confederation did not bring any danger to the Blues, apart from a small incident for Juanjo Lobato as he lost control and crashed with his right-hand knee against his own bike, needing from medical assistance on course. The incident did not avert the Andalusian sprinting to 7th behind Sacha Modolo (LAM), as the peloton got split into the two final slopes in the last 30k, with Andrey Amador (34th) safely into the bunch to stay in fourth overall.

The Costa Rican remains 56" behind Aru (AST) before tomorrow's intriguing stage, the endurance route -including three huge climbs- to Cervinia on Friday and Saturday's grand finale over Finestre and Sestriere.

Result