Welcome to stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia - the day that the fight for the GC should really hot up. The 186km stage from Falzes to Cortina d'Ampezzo features five climbs, including the fearsome Cat.1 Passo Giau, before finishing at the fashionable ski resort after a long, technical downhill.
Giro d'Italia
Stage 17 | Mountain | Men | 23.05.2012
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Live Updates
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Updated 23/05/2012 at 16:18 GMT
- All
- Highlights
17:05
Thanks for joining us and be sure to return tomorrow for the downhill transitional 149km stage 18 to Vedelago.
17:00
Rodriguez retains his pink jersey. The Spaniard leads Hesjedal by 30 seconds and Basso by 1:22. The big losers of the day were Astana's Tiralongo and Kreuziger, the latter losing 10 minutes and dropping out of the top ten.
0km
Confirmation of the stage result: 1. Rodriguez, 2. Basso, 3. Hesjedal, 4. Uran, 5. Scarponi, 6. Pozzovivo.
0km
Tiralongo and Henao cross the line in a group of four riders 2:46 down.
0km
The chasers have formed an eight-man group which is coming home now... they cross the line led by Katusha's Moreno, 1:32 down.
0km
Rodriguez takes the win! Basso second and Hesjedal third!
0.3km
Off the cobbles now... and Scarponi opens the sprint...
0.5km
Hellish: after all those climbs, they're forced to ride over cobbles. Cat and mouse at the moment, as the pace slows before the sprint...
1km
Hesjedal reacts first and it comes back together. No one wants to lose any seconds - plus there's a stage to win. Onto the cobbles and under the kite...
1.5km
ATTACK: Basso has a pop from distance.
2km
Chapeau Michele: Scarponi is back on with the leaders.
3km
Now Hesjedal moves to the front - and Scarponi can see the leaders. A ballsy comeback from the Italian.
4km
The big losers today with be Astana's Kreuziger and Tiralongo...
5km
Scarponi's cramp has eased up. He's 13 seconds down now. Basso leads the quintet with Pozzovivo on his wheel.
6km
Scarponi still riding solo, 19 seconds off the back of the leaders. Uran has almost caught the quartet. In fact, he has.
7km
Remember, no time bonuses at the finish, so it will all be down to this big final descent. Rodriguez looking good for a second stage - he has a decent kick.
8km
Scarponi is another 10 seconds back after suffering with cramp, while Gadret and Nieve are riding 1:20 back, ahead of a larger chasing group, that includes Cunego.
9km
The four leaders are back together as the road heads up for a final small climb before the concluding descent. Basso drives the pace, with Hesjedal, Rodriguez and Pozzovivo all on his wheel. Uran is riding back to them.
11km
Hesjedal and Rodriguez are pulling clear of Basso and Pozzovivo, while Scarponi has slowed up. He's 20 seconds back and has allowed Uran to ride on ahead. It looks like the defending champion has cramp.
12km
Hesjedal still setting the pace on this descent, with pink jersey Rodriguez and Basso in pursuit. Pozzovivo is next, with Uran and Scarponi just a bit further back.