Zakarin takes stage 11, Contador retains Giro lead
ByReuters
Published 20/05/2015 at 16:22 GMT
Russia's Ilnur Zakarin clinched a maiden grand tour stage win after holding off the chasing pack following a brave break 20 kilometres from the finish of stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday.
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Image credit: Eurosport
The 25-year-old Katusha rider, who won the Tour of Romandie earlier this month, broke clear on a climb around the rain-sodden finishing circuit of the Imola race track and held on to take victory by 53 seconds.
Spain's Alberto Contador retained the Pink Jersey with an unchanged three-second lead over Italy's Fabio Aru.
Contador had launched a speculative attack with 6.5kms remaining, but was pulled back into the peloton at the finish.
"There wasn't much terrain to have a go today but I knew that there were a few riders who weren't enjoying themselves and weren't feeling good, so I had a go," Contador said.
It was a quiet day for Team Sky's Richie Porte, who remains 3:09 off the pace in the general classification after receiving a two-minute penalty on stage 10 for receiving a wheel from another rider.
Australian Porte had a puncture 5kms from the finish of Tuesday's stage and countryman Simon Clarke of Orica gave him his front wheel, contravening race rules that prevent riders from rival teams assisting each other.
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