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.

A reminder of the standings in the GC: Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) leads Canada's Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin) by 30 seconds at the top. Ivan Basso (Liquigas) is third at 1:22 ahead of Astana pair Paolo Tiralongo and Roman Kreuziger - at 1:26 and 1:27. Defending champion Michele Scarponi (Lampre) has been quiet but lurks in sixth at 1:36.

Three withdrawals to report: Daryl Impey (Orica GreenEdge), Theo Bos (Rabobank) and Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) did not take to the start.

They're off! Today's stage is going to be a real ripper - and we'll have a good idea of who could make the podium come Cortina d'Ampezzo...

Yesterday, Spain's Jon Izagirre of Euskaltel won stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia after attacking from a breakaway on a short but sharp climb before the finish in Falzes. It was a first victory in his maiden Grand Tour for the 23-year-old rider, who made his decisive move inside the final four kilometres of the 173km stage from Limone on the banks of Lake Garda.