Former national champion Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) will not enter the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships after abandoning the Giro d’Italia on Tuesday due to illness. Phinney, the 2010 time trial champion, left the Giro after the second rest day and underwent evaluation at an Italian hospital on Wednesday. BMC Racing confirmed on Friday that Brent Bookwalter would be the team’s only rider in Chattanooga.

“I have been to hospital [Wednesday] morning and my condition is more severe than we initially thought, and I just need some time to recover,” Phinney said in a statement forwarded to VeloNews.

The team has not provided additional information on Phinney’s condition. When contacted via email on Wednesday, Phinney told VeloNews that the team would provide more details on his condition in the coming days.

With the absence of David Zabriskie (Garmin-Sharp), who fractured a clavicle in a crash at the Amgen Tour of California on Friday, Phinney, 22, would have been a rider of intrigue, if not the outright favorite, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Saturday. Phinney was second in the TT world championships in 2012 and fourth in the discipline at the London Olympics.

One year after wearing the maglia rosa at the Giro, Phinney fought through knee pain, illness, and allergies during the race’s opening two weeks. He finally withdrew on Tuesday.

The sport’s world governing body, the UCI, restricts athletes from entering a sanctioned event before an event from which they have withdrawn ends. The Giro closes on Sunday in Brescia, though Phinney may have been able to receive an exemption from the UCI to compete in Saturday’s time trial, via Article 2.6.026:

A rider dropping out of the race may not compete in any other cycling events for the duration of the stage race that he abandoned, on pain of a 15 day suspension and a fine of CHF 200 to 1,000.

After consulting the event directors and the president of the commissaires panel, the UCI may, however, grant exceptions at the request of a rider and with the agreement of his sports director.

Bookwalter will start the time trial as a favorite in his own right. He is the top returning rider from 2012, when was third in the TT behind Zabriskie and Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing).

“We did a great week in California and it breeds confidence going into nationals,” Bookwalter said in a team statement. “I feel really good and strong, not too fatigued or weathered. I wish I had a couple teammates there, but I’m excited and motivated to race in my home region of the country.”

The Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships run May 25-27 in Chattanooga.

VAL MARTELLO, Italy (AFP) — Giro d’Italia director Michele Acquarone on Friday described the case of Italian rider Danilo Di Luca (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia), whose positive EPO test was revealed earlier in the day, as “a case of dependency.”

“A rider who looks me in the eyes and told me, ‘I made a mistake,’ I believe,” said Acquarone. “But when he [uses] again, it feels to me a case of addiction. It’s a man who needs help.”

Di Luca tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition control before the Giro. The Italian was previously banned when he tested positive for EPO CERA in 2009. Di Luca only signed a 2013 contract in late April and joined Vini Fantini in the Giro, where he attacked but failed to win a stage.

“This is stupid on his part not to have realized that the music has changed,” said Acquarone. “We are dealing with an old rider who has not understood that the cycling world is not the same.”

Di Luca, winner of the 2007 Giro, is 37 years old. He faced doping suspicion during his 2007 victory, when test results showed abnormally low hormone levels, and was suspended for three months later in the year over his involvement in the Oil for Drugs doping inquiry. His failed test for EPO CERA during the 2009 Giro resulted in a two-year ban.

Acquarone said that he did not regret the invitation of the Vini Fantini team, which he justified by the presence riders such as Italian Stefano Garzelli, Matteo Rabottini, and Oscar Gatto.

Acquarone did not rule out the possibility of requesting damages from Di Luca.

“All in good time. We will see later, after arrival Sunday at Brescia. On May 27, we will study the consequences,” he said.

• 1. Gerald CIOLEK, MTN-Qhubeka, in 5:10:15
• 2. Arnaud DEMARE, FDJ, at :00
• 3. Heinrich HAUSSLER, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 4. Ben SWIFT, Sky, at :00
• 5. Davide CIMOLAI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 6. Aidis KRUOPIS, Orica-GreenEdge, at :00
• 7. Cyril LEMOINE, Sojasun, at :00
• 8. Robert WAGNER, Blanco, at :00
• 9. Raymond KREDER, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 10. Yohann GENE, Europcar, at :00
• 11. Grischa JANORSCHKE, Nutrixxion Abus, at :00
• 12. Russell DOWNING, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 13. Daryl IMPEY, Orica-GreenEdge, at :00
• 14. Michael SCHWARZMANN, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 15. Yauheni HUTAROVICH, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 16. Jan-Niklas DROSTE, Heizomat, at :00
• 17. Juan Jose LOBATO DEL VALLE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 18. Nikias ARNDT, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 19. Maxime DANIEL, Sojasun, at :00
• 20. Roger KLUGE, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 21. Geraint THOMAS, Sky, at :00
• 22. Alex RASMUSSEN, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 23. Theo BOS, Blanco, at :00
• 24. Andreas STAUFF, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 25. Jasha SÜTTERLIN, Thüringer Energie, at :00
• 26. Jan DIETEREN, Stölting, at :00
• 27. Fabian WEGMANN, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 28. Simon CLARKE, Orica-GreenEdge, at :00
• 29. Yoann OFFREDO, FDJ, at :00
• 30. Marcel WYSS, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 31. Martijn VERSCHOOR, Novo Nordisk, at :00
• 32. Adriano MALORI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 33. Michel KREDER, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 34. Romain BARDET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 35. Warren BARGUIL, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 36. Martin ELMIGER, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 37. Theo REINHARDT, Rad-Net Rose, at :00
• 38. Maximilian WERDA, Stölting, at :00
• 39. Steele VON HOFF, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 40. Jan BARTA, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 41. Cyril GAUTIER, Europcar, at :00
• 42. Ignatas KONOVALOVAS, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 43. Silvio HERKLOTZ, Stölting, at :00
• 44. Jean Marc MARINO, Sojasun, at :00
• 45. Maxime BOUET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 46. Diego ULISSI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 47. Christophe RIBLON, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 48. Ian STANNARD, Sky, at :00
• 49. David LELAY, Sojasun, at :00
• 50. Dominic KLEMME, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 51. Maximilian SCHACHMANN, Thüringer Energie, at :00
• 52. Nikodemus HOLLER, Thüringer Energie, at :00
• 53. Patrick SCHELLING, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 54. Simon GESCHKE, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 55. Damiano CUNEGO, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 56. Christopher SUTTON, Sky, at :00
• 57. Andreas SCHILLINGER, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 58. John GADRET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 59. Mikael CHEREL, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 60. Jon ABERASTURI IZAGA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 61. Alexander GRAD, Heizomat, at :00
• 62. Johannes FRÖHLINGER, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 63. Fabian SCHORMAIR, Heizomat, at :00
• 64. Luke ROBERTS, Stölting, at :00
• 65. Jérémy ROY, FDJ, at :00
• 66. Steffen RADOCHLA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 67. Jure KOCJAN, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 68. Yannick TALABARDON, Sojasun, at :00
• 69. Bram TANKINK, Blanco, at :00
• 70. Sergio PARDILLA BELLON, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 71. Cédric PINEAU, FDJ, at :00
• 72. Alex FRAME, Thüringer Energie, at :00
• 73. Manuele MORI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 74. Alexander WETTERHALL, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 75. David LOZANO RIBA, Novo Nordisk, at :00
• 76. Alexander KRIEGER, Rad-Net Rose, at :00
• 77. Stefan DENIFL, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 78. William BONNET, FDJ, at :00
• 79. Ruben PEREZ MORENO, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 80. Fabio CALABRIA, Novo Nordisk, at :00
• 81. Mikel NIEVE ITURALDE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 82. Thibaut PINOT, FDJ, at :00
• 83. Brice FEILLU, Sojasun, at :00
• 84. Johannes WEBER, Heizomat, at :00
• 85. Meran RUSSAN, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 86. Laurent MANGEL, FDJ, at :00
• 87. Jonas AHLSTRAND, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 88. Pierre ROLLAND, Europcar, at :00
• 89. Martin REIMER, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 90. Thomas LÖVKVIST, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 91. Simon GERRANS, Orica-GreenEdge, at :00
• 92. Kersten THIELE, Rad-Net Rose, at :00
• 93. Graeme BROWN, Blanco, at :00
• 94. Biel KADRI, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 95. Matteo BONO, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 96. Blaz JARC, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 97. Jan Oelerich, Stölting, at :00
• 98. Joseph Lloyd DOMBROWSKI, Sky, at :00
• 99. Max WALSLEBEN, Nutrixxion Abus, at :00
• 100. Javier MEGIAS LEAL, Novo Nordisk, at :00
• 101. Davide MALACARNE, Europcar, at :00
• 102. Christophe KERN, Europcar, at :00
• 103. Bjorn THURAU, Europcar, at :00
• 104. Jay Robert THOMSON, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 105. Rick AMPLER, Nutrixxion Abus, at :00
• 106. Daniel MARTIN, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 107. Jonathan TIERNAN-LOCKE, Sky, at :00
• 108. Francois PARISIEN, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 109. Jerome COUSIN, Europcar, at :00
• 110. David TANNER, Blanco, at :29
• 111. Sebastian LANGEVELD, Orica-GreenEdge, at :30
• 112. Jack BAUER, Garmin-Sharp, at :52
• 113. Jetse BOL, Blanco, at 1:41
• 114. Henning BOMMEL, Rad-Net Rose, at 1:57
• 115. Alexander SCHMITT, Nutrixxion Abus, at 2:13
• 116. Lucas LIß, Rad-Net Rose, at 2:13
• 117. Tobias DOHLUS, Nutrixxion Abus, at 2:13
• 118. Manuel STRAUB, Heizomat, at 2:13
• 119. Thomas KOEP, Stölting, at 2:13
• 120. Jimmy ENGOULVENT, Sojasun, at 2:13
• 121. Benjamin SYDLIK, Nutrixxion Abus, at 2:13
• 122. Dennis VAN WINDEN, Blanco, at 2:38
• 123. Sam BEWLEY, Orica-GreenEdge, at 2:38
• 124. Kevin DE MESMAEKER, Novo Nordisk, at 3:50
• 125. Peter KENNAUGH, Sky, at 4:14
• 126. Jack CUMMINGS, Thüringer Energie, at 6:32
• 127. Moritz SCHAFFNER, Thüringer Energie, at 6:32
• 128. Stuart O’GRADY, Orica-GreenEdge, at 8:19
• 129. Jan WÄLZLEIN, Heizomat, at 8:19
• 130. Stephen CLANCY, Novo Nordisk, at 8:19
• 131. Jan BROCKHOFF, Thüringer Energie, at 8:19
• 132. Max MERK, Heizomat, at 8:19
• 133. André SCHULZE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 8:19
• 134. Christopher MUCHE, Rad-Net Rose, at 8:19
• 135. Florian SCHEIT, Rad-Net Rose, at 8:19
• 136. Sebastian Körber, Nutrixxion Abus, at 8:19

• 1. Tony MARTIN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, in 17:42
• 2. Tom DUMOULIN, Argos-Shimano, at :40
• 3. Artem OVECHKIN, RusVelo, at :43
• 4. Alexander SEROV, RusVelo, at :46
• 5. Ben HERMANS, RadioShack-Leopard, at :46
• 6. Kristof VANDEWALLE, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :53
• 7. Damien GAUDIN, Europcar, at :56
• 8. Tom BOONEN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:00
• 9. William CLARKE, Argos-Shimano, at 1:00
• 10. Niki TERPSTRA, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:01
• 11. Lars BOOM, Blanco, at 1:03
• 12. Philippe GILBERT, BMC Racing, at 1:07
• 13. Simon SPILAK, Katusha, at 1:09
• 14. Manuel QUINZIATO, BMC Racing, at 1:11
• 15. Stijn DEVOLDER, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:11
• 16. Stijn STEELS, Crelan-Euphony, at 1:11
• 17. Luis Leon SANCHEZ GIL, Blanco, at 1:16
• 18. Alexey TSATEVITCH, Katusha, at 1:17
• 19. Martin KOHLER, BMC Racing, at 1:19
• 20. Martin VELITS, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:19
• 21. Andreas KLÖDEN, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:19
• 22. Jos VAN EMDEN, Blanco, at 1:19
• 23. Dominik NERZ, BMC Racing, at 1:20
• 24. Frantisek RABON, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:20
• 25. Marc GOOS, Blanco, at 1:21
• 26. Sébastien TURGOT, Europcar, at 1:21
• 27. Arthur VAN OVERBERGHE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 1:22
• 28. Mikhail IGNATYEV, Katusha, at 1:23
• 29. Kris BOECKMANS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:23
• 30. Wouter POELS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:24
• 31. Maxime MONFORT, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:26
• 32. Adrien PETIT, Cofidis, at 1:27
• 33. Jurgen ROELANDTS, Lotto-Belisol, at 1:27
• 34. Maxime VANTOMME, Crelan-Euphony, at 1:28
• 35. Andrew FENN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:28
• 36. Aaron GATE, An Post-Chainreaction, at 1:29
• 37. Sergey LAGUTIN, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:29
• 38. Christophe PREMONT, Crelan-Euphony, at 1:32
• 39. Thomas ROHREGGER, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:32
• 40. Alexandr KOLOBNEV, Katusha, at 1:33
• 41. Evan HUFFMAN, Astana, at 1:33
• 42. Tom Jelte SLAGTER, Blanco, at 1:34
• 43. Moreno HOFLAND, Blanco, at 1:34
• 44. Gijs VAN HOECKE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 1:35
• 45. Glenn O’SHEA, An Post-Chainreaction, at 1:36
• 46. Ramon SINKELDAM, Argos-Shimano, at 1:38
• 47. Yves LAMPAERT, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 1:39
• 48. André GREIPEL, Lotto-Belisol, at 1:39
• 49. Yann HUGUET, Argos-Shimano, at 1:39
• 50. Artur ERSHOV, RusVelo, at 1:40
• 51. Viktor MANAKOV, RusVelo, at 1:40
• 52. Reinardt JANSE VAN RENSBURG, Argos-Shimano, at 1:40
• 53. Alexander PORSEV, Katusha, at 1:40
• 54. Nico SIJMENS, Cofidis, at 1:41
• 55. Nikita NOVIKOV, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:41
• 56. Jérôme BAUGNIES, To Win-Josan, at 1:43
• 57. Greg HENDERSON, Lotto-Belisol, at 1:44
• 58. Niels ALBERT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 1:44
• 59. Stefan VAN DIJK, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 1:44
• 60. Lawrence WARBASSE, BMC Racing, at 1:45
• 61. Sep VANMARCKE, Blanco, at 1:45
• 62. David VEILLEUX, Europcar, at 1:45
• 63. Nikolas MAES, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 1:45
• 64. Danny VAN POPPEL, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:45
• 65. Evgeny KOVALEV, RusVelo, at 1:45
• 66. Francesco GAVAZZI, Astana, at 1:46
• 67. Benjamin VERRAES, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 1:46
• 68. Roy CURVERS, Argos-Shimano, at 1:48
• 69. Greg VAN AVERMAET, BMC Racing, at 1:50
• 70. Edwig CAMMAERTS, Cofidis, at 1:51
• 71. Marcel SIEBERG, Lotto-Belisol, at 1:51
• 72. Romain ZINGLE, Cofidis, at 1:52
• 73. Pieter JACOBS, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 1:52
• 74. Grégory RAST, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:53
• 75. Mirko SELVAGGI, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 1:56
• 76. Yukiya ARASHIRO, Europcar, at 1:57
• 77. Fabian CANCELLARA, RadioShack-Leopard, at 1:58
• 78. Maxim IGLINSKY, Astana, at 1:59
• 79. Boris DRON, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:00
• 80. Florent BARLE, Cofidis, at 2:00
• 81. Dirk FINDERS, To Win-Josan, at 2:00
• 82. Björn LEUKEMANS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 2:02
• 83. Wout VAN AERT, Telenet-Fidea, at 2:02
• 84. Joeri ADAMS, Telenet-Fidea, at 2:02
• 85. Lubomir PETRUS, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:03
• 86. Olivier CHEVALIER, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:03
• 87. Laurent EVRARD, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:04
• 88. Rob PEETERS, Telenet-Fidea, at 2:04
• 89. Borut BOZIC, Astana, at 2:04
• 90. Stéphane POULHIES, Cofidis, at 2:05
• 91. Xavier FLORENCIO CABRE, Katusha, at 2:05
• 92. Steven CAETHOVEN, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 2:05
• 93. Sven NYS, Crelan-Euphony, at 2:06
• 94. Sean VAN DE WAETER, To Win-Josan, at 2:08
• 95. Frédéric AMORISON, Crelan-Euphony, at 2:08
• 96. Philipp WALSLEBEN, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:08
• 97. Jurgen VAN DE WALLE, Lotto-Belisol, at 2:08
• 98. Thomas DEGAND, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 2:09
• 99. Thomas VOECKLER, Europcar, at 2:09
• 100. Jean-Pierre DRUCKER, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 2:10
• 101. Tom VEELERS, Argos-Shimano, at 2:10
• 102. Sébastien DELFOSSE, Crelan-Euphony, at 2:11
• 103. Sébastien CHAVANEL, Europcar, at 2:12
• 104. Alphonse VERMOTE, An Post-Chainreaction, at 2:12
• 105. Simone PONZI, Astana, at 2:12
• 106. Marcus BURGHARDT, BMC Racing, at 2:13
• 107. Thijs AL, Telenet-Fidea, at 2:13
• 108. Tom VAN ASBROECK, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 2:15
• 109. Alexandre PICHOT, Europcar, at 2:15
• 110. Dieter UYTTERSPROT, To Win-Josan, at 2:17
• 111. Andrea GUARDINI, Astana, at 2:17
• 112. Ruslan TLEUBAYEV, Astana, at 2:18
• 113. Johnny HOOGERLAND, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 2:18
• 114. Jelle VANENDERT, Lotto-Belisol, at 2:18
• 115. Jens DEBUSSCHERE, Lotto-Belisol, at 2:18
• 116. Egidijus JUODVALKIS, Crelan-Euphony, at 2:20
• 117. Laurens DE VREESE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 2:23
• 118. Sven VANTHOURENHOUT, Crelan-Euphony, at 2:23
• 119. Jurgen VAN GOOLEN, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 2:23
• 120. Arnaud LABBE, Cofidis, at 2:23
• 121. David VAN DER POEL, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:24
• 122. Thomas OP T EYNDE, To Win-Josan, at 2:26
• 123. Roman MAIKIN, RusVelo, at 2:27
• 124. Mark MCNALLY, An Post-Chainreaction, at 2:27
• 125. Alexander MIRONOV, RusVelo, at 2:28
• 126. Sebastian LANDER, BMC Racing, at 2:29
• 127. Aliaksandr KUCHYNSKI, Katusha, at 2:30
• 128. Wout FRANSSEN, An Post-Chainreaction, at 2:30
• 129. Garrit BROEDERS, To Win-Josan, at 2:31
• 130. Leonid KRASNOV, RusVelo, at 2:31
• 131. Thomas LEEZER, Blanco, at 2:32
• 132. Maxime ANCIAUX, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:33
• 133. Eduard VORGANOV, Katusha, at 2:34
• 134. Corne VAN KESSEL, Telenet-Fidea, at 2:35
• 135. Michael VAN STAEYEN, Topsport Vlaanderen-Bal�ise, at 2:36
• 136. Dieter VANTHOURENHOUT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:37
• 137. Justin VAN HOECKE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:41
• 138. Michael VANTHOURENHOUT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:42
• 139. Arman KAMYSHEV, Astana, at 2:50
• 140. Marcel MEISEN, BKCP-Powerplus, at 2:50
• 141. Antoine DEMOITIE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:51
• 142. Tony HUREL, Europcar, at 2:53
• 143. Quentin BERTHOLET, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 2:57
• 144. Dennis VANENDERT, Lotto-Belisol, at 2:57
• 145. Jens VANDEKINDEREN, Telenet-Fidea, at 3:00
• 146. Tom MEEUSEN, Telenet-Fidea, at 3:01
• 147. Steven DOMS, To Win-Josan, at 3:03
• 148. Jonathan DE WITTE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 3:07
• 149. James VANLANDSCHOOT, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 3:10
• 150. Bart WELLENS, Telenet-Fidea, at 3:11
• 151. Pieter GHYLLEBERT, An Post-Chainreaction, at 3:11
• 152. Matti STIENS, To Win-Josan, at 3:26
• 153. Steven VAN VOOREN, An Post-Chainreaction, at 3:29
• 154. Danilo NAPOLITANO, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 3:37

Editor’s Note: This video is courtesy of Global Cycling Network. The opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily represent the opinions of VeloNews.com, Velo magazine or the editors and staff of Competitor Group, Inc.

PONTE DI LEGNO, Italy (AFP) — Italian cyclist Danilo Di Luca (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia), currently competing at the 96th Giro d’Italia, has been “provisionally suspended” after testing positive for EPO in an out-of-competition test before the race.

Di Luca, who has already served a ban for failing a doping test at the Giro and has been embroiled in other doping affairs, tested positive for the banned blood booster at the end of April.

The UCI, cycling’s international governing body, said it had “provisionally suspended” the rider, who risks a heavy sanction if found guilty.

“The decision to provisionally suspend this rider was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Cologne indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of EPO in a urine sample collected from him in an out-of-competition test on 29 April 2013,” the UCI said.

“The provisional suspension of Mr. Danilo Di Luca remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Italian Cycling Federation determines whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.”

Di Luca was without a contract at the start of the season but managed to sign for the second division team Vini Fantini, which was assured a place in the three-week race.

Team boss Angelo Citracca indicated upon hearing the news the team would sack the rider if a B sample confirms the first result.

“This result reflects upon the whole team,” said Citracca.

Despite having only two days of racing in his legs, the 37-year-old Di Luca was called to the team in time for the May 4 start in Naples. Although he has failed to win a stage or challenge in the GC, Di Luca has often been seen on the attack.

Di Luca finished 10th in Thursday’s uphill time trial behind stage winner and overall race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), who now has a 4:02 over his closest rival, Australian Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), with two stages to race. The Italian is 26th, 33:33 behind Nibali.

Di Luca, who won the 2007 Giro, has a doping past. He returned two positive doping tests from samples taken during the 2009 edition of the race, which he finished as runner-up behind Russian Denis Menchov.

Di Luca denied doping at that time but finally confessed and earned a more lenient sanction. Instead of a two-year ban, he was suspended for 15 months. He also lost his 2007 Giro result.

Di Luca also had abnormal results from test samples at the 2007 Giro. That prompted a prosecutor to demand a two-year ban, but the cyclist was cleared at the 11th hour by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) due to a lack of evidence.

Disgraced American Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France crowns among other victories due to doping, reacted to the news via Twitter.

The American said: “Knowing I have 0 cred on the doping issue – I still can’t help but think, ‘really Di Luca? Are you that f—ing stupid??’.”

Friday’s 19th stage, the first of two consecutive days in the mountains, was canceled by organizers because of heavy snow on a revised route.

Changes were also made to Saturday’s 20th stage, the last in the mountains, due to the conditions.

MORI, Italy (VN) — Heavy snow across the mountains of northern Italy has forced Giro d’Italia officials to cancel Friday’s 19th stage.

Organizers made the decision before 10 a.m. local time, citing adverse weather conditions and snowfall on the roads.

Bad weather had already prompted Giro officials to re-route Friday’s course in an attempt to salvage a critical day of racing. On Thursday evening, both the Gavia (2,618 meters) and Stelvio (2,758m) were taken out.

In their place were the Passo del Tonale (1,883m) and Passo Castrin (1,706m) in a new 160-kilometer route that pushed east and then north. But everyone woke up Friday morning to discover snow and ice on Tonale, and there were reports of snow on the upper reaches of the finish line at Val Martello (2,059m).

Riders across the peloton breathed a sigh of relief. Reaction was near universal that the organizers made the correct call.

“Looking at the snow this morning, and the weather forecast, my question was, ‘how could you have possibly have a race?’ To race, to be healthy, and have a good race, to make it safe for everyone; that’s quite impossible. The organizers did the right thing,” said Cadel Evans (BMC Racing). “What can we do? We cannot control the weather.”

Instead of racing, riders and staff piled into team buses and cars and drove toward their scheduled hotels for Friday night. Most were planning a light training ride on what turned out to be a third rest day at the Giro.

“I’d say the boys are relieved + content w/ the decision that was made. No one wants to deal with conditions like this,” said Julian Dean, an assistant sport director with Orica-GreenEdge, via the team’s Twitter feed.

The UCI also supported the move.

“The organizers have put the security of riders first and the UCI supports their decision,” UCI president Pat McQuaid said. “The riders have been racing in very difficult conditions this week, but today those conditions are just too extreme.”

The weather cancellation will have major implications on the GC battle as the three-week Giro winds down.

Friday’s stage was one of two decisive mountaintop finishes that, under normal conditions, would have shaken up the overall standings.

Following his stage victory in Thursday’s climbing time trial, race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) has a solid grip on the pink jersey, now 4:02 ahead of Evans.

The battle for the podium and some of the other classifications, such as the points and white jerseys, are far from settled.

Rigoberto Urán (Sky) is in third, just 10 seconds behind Evans, while Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) is within range of the podium in fourth at 1:12 behind Evans.

“Tomorrow is going to be an important day. Because we’re not racing today, it will be an even more important day,” Evans said. “We need to train and recover, and be at a our best for tomorrow.”

Following the cancellation, officials altered Saturday’s “queen stage” across the Dolomites. What was supposed to be a five-climb, 203km course tackling five high mountains was reduced to a more modest route.

The first three climbs of Costalunga, San Pellegrino, and Giau were removed because of snow and bad road conditions. Instead, the peloton will travel through the Brunico and Dobbiaco Valleys before tackling the two remaining climbs from the original route, the Category 2 Passo Tre Croci and the Cat. 1 Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

The new route measures 210km. There is, however, more inclement weather in Saturday’s forecast.

The 96th Giro is scheduled to end Sunday with a flat stage from Riese Pio X to Brescia.

Some information from AFP was used in this report.

The new-look U.S. professional road championships are set to kick off on Saturday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with wide-open men’s and women’s fields, equal prizes, and live video coverage. National champions Megan Guarnier (Rabobank) and Timmy Duggan (Saxo-Tinkoff) face tall orders in their repeat bids, but a win in Chattanooga could be the highest profile national title since the race moved out of Philadelphia almost a decade ago.

After seven years in Greenville, South Carolina, the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships will debut in Chattanooga this weekend. The event, the first in which the men’s and women’s professional races will coincide at the same location, promises fans both twice the action and unprecedented broadcast coverage — including a live telecast of the men’s road race and streaming online and mobile coverage of both events. The men’s and women’s time trials will be held Saturday, May 25, with road races scheduled for Monday, May 27.

Defending road race champions Duggan and Guarnier will both be on hand to defend their distinctive champions’ jerseys, each adorned with the stars and stripes of the United States. They’ll be fighting for the same prize money as well, as the event is offering equal payouts to the top 20 in each race.

Despite its new locale, the road course features a familiar format, with beginning and ending circuits through downtown Chattanooga separated by 16.1-mile laps, each including a three-mile climb of Lookout Mountain (1,150 feet of elevation gain). The men will complete the climb four times for a total distance of 100.6 miles, with the women completing two laps (63.1 miles).

Though eager to stage a defense of his title, Duggan admitted his year in the stars and stripes has been less than ideal. The Saxo rider, a resident of Nederland, Colorado, suffered a broken tibia and collarbone during stage 3 of January’s Santos Tour Down Under. Early season injuries aside, Duggan considers Monday’s defense a major priority.

“Winning the national championship has meant a lot to me,” he told VeloNews. “It’s an honor you’re reminded of each day when you put that jersey on. I’m sure hoping to win again in Chattanooga. I do not want to give my jersey back.”

Duggan returned to racing at April’s Presidential Tour of Turkey and arrives in Tennessee fresh off of the Amgen Tour of California.

Like her male counterpart, women’s road champion Megan Guarnier plans a vigorous, albeit solo, defense. In late 2012, the New York native became the first American woman to sign with the Rabobank squad of world champion and Olympic gold medalist Marianne Vos.

For Guarnier, who was named to the long team for the 2012 Summer Olympics — but ultimately not to the team — the chance to wear the stars and stripes was an opportunity to regain her confidence.

“It was an emotional roller coaster of a year, but wearing that jersey has been amazing,” she said. “There’s a lot to road racing that’s unpredictable. [Winning again] will be hard, but I’ve come to Chattanooga to give it my best.”

Though they’ve never met, the defending road champions will share more than a jersey this weekend. Each is the lone American representative for a European squad.

In Guarnier’s case, this means her Tennessee support team consists of a party of one: her fiancé. Duggan, who will also be without his team’s logistical support, has made plans to partner with former Cannondale teammate Ted King and 2011 champion Matthew Busche (RadioShack-Leopard) — all three are without teammates, with RadioShack’s Chris Horner and 2010 champion Ben King set to miss the race with injuries.

But don’t expect the loose alliance the trio have dubbed “Team No Team” to extend to the road. Busche told VeloNews that all bets are off when it comes to capturing the stars and stripes — even among those fielding sizable teams.

“Even when you’ve got guys there wearing the same kit, it’s an interesting situation at nationals,” Busche told VeloNews. “At the end of the day, it’s all about that jersey, so it can be a tricky situation when it comes to sacrificing for a teammate. Believe you me, [Timmy, Ted, and I] won’t be racing as a team on the road. But it’s nice to buddy up as far as logistics go.”

Amgen injuries take out both TT champs

While the road race is slated to see the return of both reigning champions, injuries sustained at the Amgen Tour of California will prevent the start of each defending time trial champion. Garmin-Sharp’s multiple-time champion David Zabriskie was forced to abandon the Amgen Tour after sustaining a broken collarbone while doing course recognizance ahead of the stage 6 time trial one week ago today. Former world champion Amber Neben (Pasta Zara) was likewise removed from contention after suffering a broken hip and ribs during the women’s invitational time trial.

The absence of the dominating Zabriskie, in particular, holds open the prospect of an unusually competitive field, with BMC Racing’s Brent Bookwalter, Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies’ Tom Zirbel and Scott Zwizanski, and Bontrager’s Nathan Brown among likely podium contenders.

Specialized-lululemon’s Evelyn Stevens is a double threat in the women’s field. The winner of last week’s Amgen Tour women’s TT is also a serious contender for the road title, as are former champion Robin Farina (NOW-Novartis for MS), Janel Holcomb (Optum), and Exergy Twenty16’s Kristin McGrath and Alison Tetrick.

Both the men and women will compete on a rolling, 19-mile TT course adjacent to sponsor Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant. Riders will complete two out-and-back runs of 9.5 miles each, allowing spectators to view each rider multiple times.

Fans unable to participate on-site will enjoy enhanced broadcast coverage. Both Saturday’s time trials and Monday’s road races will be carried live online and on mobile devices via Tour Tracker. Universal Sports will air coverage of the final two hours of the men’s race Monday, beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. The live broadcast will include highlights from the time trials and women’s road race, with Craig Hummer, Robbie Ventura, and Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong sharing commentary duties. A recap of the weekend will air Sunday, June 2 at 1 p.m. EDT on NBC Sports Network.

VeloNews contributor Dan Wuori will be reporting all weekend from Chattanooga. For live updates follow @dwuori on Twitter.

• 1. Daryl IMPEY, Orica-GreenEdge, in 4:41:30
• 2. Gerald CIOLEK, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 3. Adriano MALORI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 4. Diego ULISSI, Lampre-Merida, at :00
• 5. Romain BARDET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 6. Michel KREDER, Garmin-Sharp, at :00
• 7. Martin ELMIGER, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 8. Geraint THOMAS, Sky, at :00
• 9. John GADRET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 10. Christophe RIBLON, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 11. Warren BARGUIL, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 12. Maxime BOUET, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00
• 13. Marcel WYSS, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 14. Silvio HERKLOTZ, Stölting, at :00
• 15. Cédric PINEAU, FDJ, at :00
• 16. Mikel NIEVE ITURALDE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :00
• 17. Simon GESCHKE, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 18. Simon CLARKE, Orica-GreenEdge, at :00
• 19. Sergio PARDILLA BELLON, MTN-Qhubeka, at :00
• 20. Heinrich HAUSSLER, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 21. Bram TANKINK, Blanco, at :00
• 22. David LELAY, Sojasun, at :00
• 23. Jan BARTA, NetApp-Endura, at :00
• 24. Jérémy ROY, FDJ, at :00
• 25. Pierre ROLLAND, Europcar, at :00
• 26. Dominic KLEMME, IAM Cycling, at :00
• 27. Davide MALACARNE, Europcar, at :00
• 28. Ben SWIFT, Sky, at :00
• 29. Bjorn THURAU, Europcar, at :11
• 30. Stefan DENIFL, IAM Cycling, at :11
• 31. Thibaut PINOT, FDJ, at :11
• 32. Patrick SCHELLING, IAM Cycling, at :11
• 33. Mikael CHEREL, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :11
• 34. Thomas LÖVKVIST, IAM Cycling, at :15
• 35. Ian STANNARD, Sky, at :15
• 36. Yannick TALABARDON, Sojasun, at :15
• 37. Manuele MORI, Lampre-Merida, at :22
• 38. Andreas SCHILLINGER, NetApp-Endura, at :23
• 39. Brice FEILLU, Sojasun, at :26
• 40. Daniel MARTIN, Garmin-Sharp, at :41
• 41. Biel KADRI, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :41
• 42. Damiano CUNEGO, Lampre-Merida, at :50
• 43. Matteo BONO, Lampre-Merida, at :50
• 44. Peter KENNAUGH, Sky, at :56
• 45. Nikodemus HOLLER, Thüringer Energie, at 2:13
• 46. Cyril GAUTIER, Europcar, at 2:49
• 47. Nikias ARNDT, Argos-Shimano, at 4:00
• 48. Jack BAUER, Garmin-Sharp, at 10:28
• 49. Yoann OFFREDO, FDJ, at 12:38
• 50. Meran RUSSAN, MTN-Qhubeka, at 12:38
• 51. Stuart O’GRADY, Orica-GreenEdge, at 12:38
• 52. Martin REIMER, MTN-Qhubeka, at 12:38
• 53. Ignatas KONOVALOVAS, MTN-Qhubeka, at 12:38
• 54. Alexander WETTERHALL, NetApp-Endura, at 12:38
• 55. Simon GERRANS, Orica-GreenEdge, at 12:38
• 56. Juan Jose LOBATO DEL VALLE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 12:38
• 57. Sam BEWLEY, Orica-GreenEdge, at 12:38
• 58. Davide CIMOLAI, Lampre-Merida, at 12:38
• 59. Ruben PEREZ MORENO, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 12:38
• 60. David LOZANO RIBA, Novo Nordisk, at 12:38
• 61. Johannes FRÖHLINGER, Argos-Shimano, at 12:38
• 62. Fabian WEGMANN, Garmin-Sharp, at 12:38
• 63. Javier MEGIAS LEAL, Novo Nordisk, at 12:38
• 64. Johannes WEBER, Heizomat, at 12:38
• 65. Francois PARISIEN, Argos-Shimano, at 12:38
• 66. Jonas AHLSTRAND, Argos-Shimano, at 12:38
• 67. Maximilian WERDA, Stölting, at 12:38
• 68. Max WALSLEBEN, Nutrixxion Abus, at 12:38
• 69. Jonathan TIERNAN-LOCKE, Sky, at 12:38
• 70. Laurent MANGEL, FDJ, at 12:38
• 71. William BONNET, FDJ, at 12:38
• 72. Arnaud DEMARE, FDJ, at 12:38
• 73. Joseph Lloyd DOMBROWSKI, Sky, at 12:38
• 74. Sebastian LANGEVELD, Orica-GreenEdge, at 12:38
• 75. David TANNER, Blanco, at 12:38
• 76. Cyril LEMOINE, Sojasun, at 12:38
• 77. Jerome COUSIN, Europcar, at 12:38
• 78. Christophe KERN, Europcar, at 12:38
• 79. Jay Robert THOMSON, MTN-Qhubeka, at 19:30
• 80. Jasha SÜTTERLIN, Thüringer Energie, at 19:30
• 81. Alex RASMUSSEN, Garmin-Sharp, at 23:00
• 82. Jon ABERASTURI IZAGA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 23:00
• 83. Andreas STAUFF, MTN-Qhubeka, at 23:00
• 84. Grischa JANORSCHKE, Nutrixxion Abus, at 23:00
• 85. Jetse BOL, Blanco, at 23:00
• 86. Fabian SCHORMAIR, Heizomat, at 23:00
• 87. Lucas LIß, Rad-Net Rose, at 23:00
• 88. Jan-Niklas DROSTE, Heizomat, at 23:00
• 89. Raymond KREDER, Garmin-Sharp, at 23:00
• 90. Aidis KRUOPIS, Orica-GreenEdge, at 23:00
• 91. Robert WAGNER, Blanco, at 23:00
• 92. Fabio CALABRIA, Novo Nordisk, at 23:00
• 93. Alex FRAME, Thüringer Energie, at 23:00
• 94. Jan DIETEREN, Stölting, at 23:00
• 95. Thomas KOEP, Stölting, at 23:00
• 96. Luke ROBERTS, Stölting, at 23:00
• 97. Jan Oelerich, Stölting, at 23:00
• 98. Jure KOCJAN, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 23:00
• 99. Theo REINHARDT, Rad-Net Rose, at 23:00
• 100. Maxime DANIEL, Sojasun, at 23:00
• 101. Tobias DOHLUS, Nutrixxion Abus, at 23:00
• 102. Alexander KRIEGER, Rad-Net Rose, at 23:00
• 103. Michael SCHWARZMANN, NetApp-Endura, at 23:00
• 104. Florian SCHEIT, Rad-Net Rose, at 23:00
• 105. Roger KLUGE, NetApp-Endura, at 23:00
• 106. Yohann GENE, Europcar, at 23:00
• 107. Jean Marc MARINO, Sojasun, at 23:00
• 108. Henning BOMMEL, Rad-Net Rose, at 23:00
• 109. Theo BOS, Blanco, at 27:00
• 110. Christopher SUTTON, Sky, at 27:00
• 111. Jan BROCKHOFF, Thüringer Energie, at 27:00
• 112. Yauheni HUTAROVICH, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 27:00
• 113. Manuel STRAUB, Heizomat, at 27:00
• 114. Jan WÄLZLEIN, Heizomat, at 27:00
• 115. Alexander SCHMITT, Nutrixxion Abus, at 27:00
• 116. Russell DOWNING, NetApp-Endura, at 27:00
• 117. Martijn VERSCHOOR, Novo Nordisk, at 27:00
• 118. Max MERK, Heizomat, at 27:00
• 119. Kevin DE MESMAEKER, Novo Nordisk, at 27:00
• 120. Steele VON HOFF, Garmin-Sharp, at 27:00
• 121. Jack CUMMINGS, Thüringer Energie, at 27:00
• 122. Moritz SCHAFFNER, Thüringer Energie, at 27:00
• 123. Kersten THIELE, Rad-Net Rose, at 27:00
• 124. Stephen CLANCY, Novo Nordisk, at 27:00
• 125. Sebastian Körber, Nutrixxion Abus, at 27:00
• 126. Dennis VAN WINDEN, Blanco, at 27:00
• 127. Steffen RADOCHLA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 27:00
• 128. André SCHULZE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 27:00
• 129. Christopher MUCHE, Rad-Net Rose, at 27:00
• 130. Andrea CIACCHINI, Novo Nordisk, at 27:00
• 131. Maximilian SCHACHMANN, Thüringer Energie, at 27:00
• 132. Benjamin SYDLIK, Nutrixxion Abus, at 27:00
• 133. Graeme BROWN, Blanco, at 27:00
• 134. Blaz JARC, NetApp-Endura, at 27:00
• 135. Jimmy ENGOULVENT, Sojasun, at 27:00
• 136. Rick AMPLER, Nutrixxion Abus, at 27:00
• 137. Alexander GRAD, Heizomat, at 27:00

POLSA, Italy (VN) — Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) looked for the positive side of losing out on the overall title at the Giro d’Italia on Thursday afternoon. Despite slipping further back in today’s stage 18 uphill time trial, he maintained good spirits and an eye on the Tour de France.

“The glass is half-full, yes,” Evans said after changing out of his rain-soaked skinsuit. “As a professional, as a competitor, I want to win, but the thing about bike racing is that you start with 200 and there is one winner and 199 losers.”

Evans placed 25th in the 20.6-kilometer test, 2:36 back from the race’s overall leader and stage winner, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). Evans now sits second overall, at 4:02.

He sat, cold, ready to go to the hotel to reflect on the Giro. The 36-year-old at one point had been within striking distance of Nibali and the overall win. He said that he is used to these difficulties.

“That’s something you have to learn as a bike rider … It’s something you have to learn to live with,” Evans said. “There are two ways to look at this: I was second place in the Giro at 30 or 35 seconds and maybe I can win this Giro, but at the same time I came here to come back to my best to recover lost days of racing due this illness and so on last year. In that regard, it is not something that I should be kicking myself in the backside for.”

Evans suffered last year. As defending Tour de France champion, he could only manage seventh. It wasn’t until after the race and a stint in the U.S. that he realized a virus had sapped his fitness.

The setback put Evans on the back foot coming into 2013. To be certain to be ready for the Tour, he and BMC Racing’s staff decided to race the Giro d’Italia.

Not only did he find his legs, but he challenged for the Giro’s overall win. As he said, Evans has reason to be happy.

“I came to this Giro with high hopes but not high expectations. My real objective was to give my best at the Giro and at this point, I have made a few mistakes but nothing big. So in terms of giving it my best, it’s great,” Evans said. “But when you are near winning you want to be winning, and that is where your hopes might rise above your capabilities.”

Evans’ woes and podium hopes

Evans suffered in Thursday’s 20.6km time trial. He said the short stages featured in the 96th edition of the race do not favor him.

“The time trial was a lot worse than what I expected,” he explained. “I gave what I could, but I saw in this Giro that when there are short stages, like above Bardonecchia and today, I’m not at the level of the best.”

A podium is still within reach, but it will be a hard fight. Rigoberto Urán (Sky) sits only 10 seconds back and Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) is approaching, at 1:12. Two mountain stages await, with Friday’s rerouted leg to Val Martello finishing atop a 22km first-category climb and Saturday’s 20th stage set to conclude on the Tre Cime climb.

“Of course second is better than third place, and fourth is a pretty horrible place to finish in a Grand Tour,” Evans added. “But at this point, relax, recover, and look to tomorrow.”

Evans the fighter is also looking to the Tour with a big Giro base under him.

POLSA, Italy (VN) — Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) erased any doubt Thursday over who is the strongest in this Giro d’Italia and will carry a nearly insurmountable lead into the final three days of racing this week.

Only Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) could come within one minute of the Sicilian as Nibali won Thursday’s 20.6-kilometer climbing time trial. He tightened his grip on the pink jersey, pushing second overall Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) to 4:02 adrift and celebrated with a fist pump as he crossed the finish line.

“My legs don’t hurt,” Nibali said. “Over the past week, I’ve started to feel better and better. I was very calm this morning. When I woke up and did a course inspection, I knew I had good legs.”

Nibali was right. He stopped the clock in 44:29 (27.785 kph) to win his first stage of this Giro and confirm once and for all that he’s a step above everyone else in the peloton.

“What Nibali did today was impressive. He’s the just winner,” said Sánchez, who posted a fast early time and watched rider after rider fall short until Nibali surged across the line in the rain. “He had the extra stimulus of riding for the pink jersey. He’s clearly the strongest rider in the race.”

“The Shark” once again proved he’s immune to cold and wet conditions in what’s been a terrible Giro. Conditions are so bad organizers confirmed Thursday afternoon that the Gavia and Stelvio climbs are unsafe for passage and laid out a new route for Friday’s climbing stage, with the original finale at Val Martello remaining intact.

With the Giro still hanging in the balance, a determined Nibali took gains on all of his GC rivals, including a deathblow of 2:36 to Evans.

The Australian started the day in second, at 1:26 — the only real threat to Nibali. Evans struggled across the line a distant 25th as rain pelted the late starters on the upper reaches of the winding course from Mori to Polsa.

Evans retained second by just 10 seconds over Rigoberto Urán (Sky), and slipped to 4:02 back, a difference that will be all but impossible to recoup despite two brutally steep climbing stages across the snow-bound Dolomites.

Anticipation was high ahead of what many expected to be a race-breaking stage. It was a breaker, but in the wrong direction for Evans.

The 2011 Tour de France champion needed to take time on Nibali, not lose it. Evans, who decided to race the Giro just five weeks before the start in order to prepare for the Tour de France, essentially threw in the towel after studying the GC.

“I am unlikely to win, but since I came here as training for the Tour de France, second is not so bad,” Evans said. “And Nibali, he’s in a class of his own right now, so he deserves to win the Giro.”

Nibali said he was expecting more from Evans.

“Cadel has been hidden away in the peloton these past few days, so it was hard to judge his legs. I expected he would go better today,” Nibali said. “He was my rider of reference [starting three minutes apart], so when I could see that I was close to catching him, I pushed even harder.”

Nibali looks firm in his grip on pink. He’s shown no cracks since the start of the Giro, and has ridden with confidence since taking the maglia rosa in the individual time trial at Saltara in stage 7.

Evans, Uran packed tightly in the race for the podium

The real race is now on for the podium, and Nibali knows it.

“The most important thing now is to defend the lead that I now have,” Nibali said. “Now we can breathe a little easier.”

Urán rode well in a discipline that’s not his specialty to defend third, stopping the clock sixth, 1:26 back. The Colombian is now just 10 seconds behind Evans, at 4:12, so there’s still a lot to race for at Sky.

“It was a real good performance from ‘Rigo.’ He paced himself well and now he’s just 10 seconds off second place,” said Sky director Marcus Ljungqvist. “It gives us something to fight for. We’re getting toward the end of the race and we want to leave it all out there and really go for it.”

Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida), winner of the 2011 Giro, revived his podium chances by posting a strong time trial. He finished fourth, at 1:21, to slot into fourth overall, 5:14 back and just 1:12 from second place.

For Nibali, he can ride into the final crescendo of this Giro on cruise control. He’s been consistent in every key stage, either marking his rivals or taking time when necessary.

“I could see today again that I am stronger,” he said. “I think we can manage things no matter what happens.”

When asked why he’s so strong, he said his move to Astana is paying dividends.

“The team has supported me since the start of the season. They’ve helped me make tests on the aerodynamics. We were on the track with the time trial bike all day, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” he said. “The entire team is at my disposal. It gives me confidence and allows me to work with more tranquility. I can come into the race with a lot less stress.”

Nibali is clearly a step ahead of the peloton. The riders on the steps directly below him are still in doubt with three days to Brescia.

McQuaid also announced that the UCI planned to allow an external inquiry into the role played by those in charge during the Armstrong years.

The Irishman, who is set to stand for a third term in charge of the UCI in September, hit back at those, including the World Anti-Doping Agency, who have critizised the lack of action taken since the fall from grace of the former Tour de France winner.

“That’s not correct. We have worked since Armstrong,” said McQuaid.

He said that the UCI had set up an “independent commission” to investigate whether anyone was complicit in helping the Texan during the years when he managed to cheat his way to the pinnacle of the sport, but added that the commission had to be dissolved shortly after opening at the end of January because of a lack of support from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Armstrong’s downfall was brought about following the publication of a USADA report last year that outlined his role in the most sophisticated and successful doping program in the history of the sport.

“I am sorry that it has to be abandoned but we could not afford the money that we wanted to spend on it and, having the report for just one side and the fact neither WADA nor USADA were prepared to collaborate to this commission, put us in a situation where we had no option but to cancel it and look at a different approach,” McQuaid said of the commission’s failure.

McQuaid added that he hoped an external inquiry into the UCI’s activities could begin as soon as possible.

“We are planning to recommend to the Management Committee in June an external audit on the UCI’s activities during that period,” he said.
“I would hope that the decision will be taken in June so that group of people can start their audit immediately and then we’ll look to see what further should be done to examine that period.

“We have nothing to be afraid of, nothing to fear, we are not hiding anything from the work we did during that period.”

A report making recommendations for the future of the sport was published by Deloitte on Thursday.

The report highlighted the need to restore the credibility of cycling and its public image, as well as the need to decide whether to hold an independent inquiry into the Armstrong affair and whether to offer riders amnesty or reduced sanctions for coming forward with information.

Feedback from the report also suggests that more needs to be done to improve the UCI’s relationship with WADA.

“We have taken the decision recently to provide USADA with all the material that they asked for in relation with Lance Armstrong,” said McQuaid. “That material is not sitting on a desk just waiting to be posted tomorrow, but we have to research that material because it goes back 15 years, some of that is not even at the UCI but in external laboratories.

“We are currently in the process of accumulating this information and we’ll provide it to USADA as soon as we have.”

POLSA, Italy (AFP) — Giro d’Italia organizers have confirmed that winter weather has forced them to reroute Friday’s 19th stage to avoid the Passo di Gavia and Passo dello Stelvio.

Originally set for 139 kilometers, the stage from Ponte di Legno to Val Martello will climb the Cat. 2 Passo del Tonale (8.3km, 7.5 percent) after just 5km and the Cat. 1 Passo Castrin (8.4km, 9.5 percent), which tops out 79km into the 160km leg.

The 22.4km finish climb at Val Martello, to 2059 meters elevation, is also ranked first category. The climb average 6.4 percent, with a maximum gradient of 14 percent.

Snow is forecast Friday on the Gavia and Stelvio passes. Forecasters are calling for a snow/rain mix at the Passo del Tonale on Friday.

Editor’s Note: This video is courtesy of Global Cycling Network. The opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily represent the opinions of VeloNews.com, Velo magazine or the editors and staff of Competitor Group, Inc.

• 1. André GREIPEL, Lotto-Belisol, in 4:11:29
• 2. Danny VAN POPPEL, Vacansoleil-DCM, at :00
• 3. Tom BOONEN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 4. Alexander PORSEV, Katusha, at :00
• 5. Adrien PETIT, Cofidis, at :00
• 6. Simone PONZI, Astana, at :00
• 7. Alexey TSATEVITCH, Katusha, at :00
• 8. Ruslan TLEUBAYEV, Astana, at :00
• 9. Niki TERPSTRA, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 10. Ramon SINKELDAM, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 11. Sébastien CHAVANEL, Europcar, at :00
• 12. Yves LAMPAERT, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at :00
• 13. Tom VAN ASBROECK, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at :00
• 14. Jos VAN EMDEN, Blanco, at :00
• 15. Maxime VANTOMME, Crelan-Euphony, at :00
• 16. Luis Leon SANCHEZ GIL, Blanco, at :00
• 17. Greg VAN AVERMAET, BMC Racing, at :00
• 18. Sep VANMARCKE, Blanco, at :00
• 19. Nikolas MAES, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 20. Reinardt JANSE VAN RENSBURG, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 21. Pieter JACOBS, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at :00
• 22. Mikhail IGNATYEV, Katusha, at :00
• 23. Philippe GILBERT, BMC Racing, at :00
• 24. Nico SIJMENS, Cofidis, at :00
• 25. Laurent EVRARD, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at :00
• 26. Grégory RAST, RadioShack-Leopard, at :00
• 27. Jurgen ROELANDTS, Lotto-Belisol, at :00
• 28. Viktor MANAKOV, RusVelo, at :00
• 29. Mirko SELVAGGI, Vacansoleil-DCM, at :00
• 30. Florent BARLE, Cofidis, at :00
• 31. Romain ZINGLE, Cofidis, at :00
• 32. Greg HENDERSON, Lotto-Belisol, at :00
• 33. Justin VAN HOECKE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at :00
• 34. Maxime MONFORT, RadioShack-Leopard, at :00
• 35. Manuel QUINZIATO, BMC Racing, at :00
• 36. Tom DUMOULIN, Argos-Shimano, at :00
• 37. Tony MARTIN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 38. Francesco GAVAZZI, Astana, at :00
• 39. Mark MCNALLY, An Post-Chainreaction, at :00
• 40. Yukiya ARASHIRO, Europcar, at :00
• 41. Laurens DE VREESE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at :00
• 42. Frantisek RABON, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 43. Nikita NOVIKOV, Vacansoleil-DCM, at :00
• 44. Marcus BURGHARDT, BMC Racing, at :00
• 45. Johnny HOOGERLAND, Vacansoleil-DCM, at :00
• 46. Gijs VAN HOECKE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at :00
• 47. Kristof VANDEWALLE, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00
• 48. David VEILLEUX, Europcar, at :00
• 49. Jurgen VAN GOOLEN, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at :00
• 50. Andreas KLÖDEN, RadioShack-Leopard, at :00
• 51. Sébastien DELFOSSE, Crelan-Euphony, at :00
• 52. Eduard VORGANOV, Katusha, at :00
• 53. Stijn DEVOLDER, RadioShack-Leopard, at :00
• 54. Sven NYS, Crelan-Euphony, at :00
• 55. Arnaud LABBE, Cofidis, at :00
• 56. Jelle VANENDERT, Lotto-Belisol, at :00
• 57. Aliaksandr KUCHYNSKI, Katusha, at :00
• 58. Jens DEBUSSCHERE, Lotto-Belisol, at :10
• 59. Marcel SIEBERG, Lotto-Belisol, at :18
• 60. Artur ERSHOV, RusVelo, at 1:25
• 61. Jean-Pierre DRUCKER, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 2:00
• 62. Sébastien TURGOT, Europcar, at 3:02
• 63. Arthur VAN OVERBERGHE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at 3:11
• 64. Alphonse VERMOTE, An Post-Chainreaction, at 3:11
• 65. Benjamin VERRAES, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 3:11
• 66. Dominik NERZ, BMC Racing, at 3:11
• 67. Roy CURVERS, Argos-Shimano, at 3:11
• 68. Stijn STEELS, Crelan-Euphony, at 3:11
• 69. Sergey LAGUTIN, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 3:11
• 70. Artem OVECHKIN, RusVelo, at 3:14
• 71. Martin VELITS, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 3:14
• 72. Jérôme BAUGNIES, To Win-Josan, at 4:00
• 73. Michael VAN STAEYEN, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise, at 4:02
• 74. Sven VANTHOURENHOUT, Crelan-Euphony, at 4:02
• 75. Lars BOOM, Blanco, at 4:28
• 76. Lubomir PETRUS, BKCP-Powerplus, at 4:28
• 77. William CLARKE, Argos-Shimano, at 4:28
• 78. Stefan VAN DIJK, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 6:27
• 79. Maxime ANCIAUX, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 6:38
• 80. Tom Jelte SLAGTER, Blanco, at 6:38
• 81. Thomas LEEZER, Blanco, at 6:38
• 82. Corne VAN KESSEL, Telenet-Fidea, at 6:38
• 83. Alexandr KOLOBNEV, Katusha, at 6:38
• 84. Evgeny KOVALEV, RusVelo, at 6:38
• 85. Dennis VANENDERT, Lotto-Belisol, at 6:38
• 86. Thomas DEGAND, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 6:38
• 87. Edwig CAMMAERTS, Cofidis, at 6:38
• 88. Lawrence WARBASSE, BMC Racing, at 6:38
• 89. Moreno HOFLAND, Blanco, at 6:38
• 90. Jurgen VAN DE WALLE, Lotto-Belisol, at 6:38
• 91. Roman MAIKIN, RusVelo, at 6:38
• 92. Boris DRON, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 6:38
• 93. Alexander MIRONOV, RusVelo, at 6:38
• 94. Antoine DEMOITIE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 6:38
• 95. Fabian CANCELLARA, RadioShack-Leopard, at 6:38
• 96. Sean VAN DE WAETER, To Win-Josan, at 6:38
• 97. Thomas ROHREGGER, RadioShack-Leopard, at 6:38
• 98. Garrit BROEDERS, To Win-Josan, at 6:38
• 99. Maxim IGLINSKY, Astana, at 6:38
• 100. Sebastian LANDER, BMC Racing, at 6:38
• 101. Dieter UYTTERSPROT, To Win-Josan, at 6:38
• 102. Olivier CHEVALIER, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 6:38
• 103. Ben HERMANS, RadioShack-Leopard, at 6:38
• 104. Christophe PREMONT, Crelan-Euphony, at 6:38
• 105. Frédéric AMORISON, Crelan-Euphony, at 6:38
• 106. Steven CAETHOVEN, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 6:38
• 107. Andrea GUARDINI, Astana, at 6:38
• 108. Martin KOHLER, BMC Racing, at 6:38
• 109. Egidijus JUODVALKIS, Crelan-Euphony, at 6:38
• 110. Jonathan DE WITTE, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 6:38
• 111. James VANLANDSCHOOT, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 6:38
• 112. Arman KAMYSHEV, Astana, at 6:38
• 113. Marcel MEISEN, BKCP-Powerplus, at 6:38
• 114. Joeri ADAMS, Telenet-Fidea, at 6:38
• 115. Tony HUREL, Europcar, at 6:38
• 116. Xavier FLORENCIO CABRE, Katusha, at 6:38
• 117. Simon SPILAK, Katusha, at 6:38
• 118. Matti STIENS, To Win-Josan, at 6:38
• 119. Wout FRANSSEN, An Post-Chainreaction, at 6:38
• 120. Wouter POELS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 6:38
• 121. Niels ALBERT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 6:38
• 122. Marc GOOS, Blanco, at 6:38
• 123. Damien GAUDIN, Europcar, at 6:38
• 124. Alexandre PICHOT, Europcar, at 6:38
• 125. Aaron GATE, An Post-Chainreaction, at 6:38
• 126. Glenn O’SHEA, An Post-Chainreaction, at 6:38
• 127. Andrew FENN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 6:38
• 128. Pieter GHYLLEBERT, An Post-Chainreaction, at 6:38
• 129. Evan HUFFMAN, Astana, at 6:38
• 130. Björn LEUKEMANS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 6:38
• 131. Tom VEELERS, Argos-Shimano, at 6:38
• 132. Yann HUGUET, Argos-Shimano, at 6:38
• 133. Kris BOECKMANS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 6:38
• 134. Thijs AL, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:01
• 135. Jens VANDEKINDEREN, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:01
• 136. Alexander SEROV, RusVelo, at 7:01
• 137. Steven DOMS, To Win-Josan, at 7:01
• 138. Dirk FINDERS, To Win-Josan, at 7:01
• 139. Philipp WALSLEBEN, BKCP-Powerplus, at 7:01
• 140. David VAN DER POEL, BKCP-Powerplus, at 7:06
• 141. Tom MEEUSEN, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:06
• 142. Bart WELLENS, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:06
• 143. Stéphane POULHIES, Cofidis, at 7:06
• 144. Thomas OP T EYNDE, To Win-Josan, at 7:06
• 145. Rob PEETERS, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:06
• 146. Leonid KRASNOV, RusVelo, at 7:06
• 147. Danilo NAPOLITANO, Accent Jobs-Wanty, at 7:06
• 148. Steven VAN VOOREN, An Post-Chainreaction, at 7:06
• 149. Wout VAN AERT, Telenet-Fidea, at 7:06
• 150. Quentin BERTHOLET, Wallonie-Bruxelles, at 7:06
• 151. Borut BOZIC, Astana, at 7:10
• 152. Thomas VOECKLER, Europcar, at 11:00
• 153. Dieter VANTHOURENHOUT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 12:39
• 154. Michael VANTHOURENHOUT, BKCP-Powerplus, at 12:39
• DNF Romain LEMARCHAND, Cofidis
• DNF Niko EECKHOUT, An Post-Chainreaction
• DNF Quentin JAUREGUI, BKCP-Powerplus
• DNS Sven VANDOUSSELAERE, Topsport Vlaanderen-Balôise

According to the team, physicians have called Sprick’s condition as a “small cerebrovascular accident.” In a statement on Thursday, the team confirmed that Sprick was “conscious and speaking but has some symptoms of paralysis.”

A type of stroke, a cerebral thrombosis is a blockage of a blood vessel in the brain caused by a clot.

Sprick is undergoing tests, observation, and treatments and the team said it would provide additional details as available.

Sprick recently returned to training following a fracture of his navicular bone, a bone on the medial side of the foot. He crashed hard in a pile-up during stage 1 of the Circuit de la Sarthe.

We will publish complete results as they become available.

• 1. Vincenzo NIBALI, Astana, in 44:29
• 2. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :58
• 3. Damiano CARUSO, Cannondale, at 1:20
• 4. Michele SCARPONI, Lampre-Merida, at 1:21
• 5. Rafal MAJKA, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 1:25
• 6. Rigoberto URAN URAN, Sky, at 1:26
• 7. Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 1:32
• 8. Stef CLEMENT, Blanco, at 1:36
• 9. Dario CATALDO, Sky, at 1:41
• 10. Danilo DI LUCA, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 1:52
• 11. Evgeny PETROV, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 1:54
• 12. Przemyslaw NIEMIEC, Lampre-Merida, at 1:56
• 13. Fabio Andres DUARTE AREVALO, Colombia, at 1:59
• 14. Wilco KELDERMAN, Blanco, at 1:59
• 15. Domenico POZZOVIVO, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 2:11
• 16. Franco PELLIZOTTI, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 2:12
• 17. Ben GASTAUER, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 2:14
• 18. Francis MOUREY, FDJ, at 2:15
• 19. José HERRADA LOPEZ, Movistar, at 2:16
• 20. Thomas DANIELSON, Garmin-Sharp, at 2:21
• 21. Yury TROFIMOV, Katusha, at 2:22
• 22. Kanstantsin SIUTSOU, Sky, at 2:25
• 23. Eros CAPECCHI, Movistar, at 2:26
• 24. Mauro SANTAMBROGIO, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 2:33
• 25. Cadel EVANS, BMC Racing, at 2:36
• 26. Stephen CUMMINGS, BMC Racing, at 2:39
• 27. Steven KRUIJSWIJK, Blanco, at 2:48
• 28. Benat INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA, Movistar, at 2:49
• 29. Robert GESINK, Blanco, at 2:55
• 30. Fabio FELLINE, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 2:58
• 31. Tiago MACHADO, RadioShack-Leopard, at 3:02
• 32. Vladimir KARPETS, Movistar, at 3:05
• 33. Diego ROSA, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 3:07
• 34. Tanel KANGERT, Astana, at 3:19
• 35. Giovanni VISCONTI, Movistar, at 3:20
• 36. Serge PAUWELS, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 3:21
• 37. Tobias LUDVIGSSON, Argos-Shimano, at 3:22
• 38. Manuele BOARO, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 3:29
• 39. Robert KISERLOVSKI, RadioShack-Leopard, at 3:46
• 40. Juan Manuel GARATE, Blanco, at 3:53
• 41. Jérôme PINEAU, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 3:54
• 42. Christian KNEES, Sky, at 3:58
• 43. Steve MORABITO, BMC Racing, at 3:59
• 44. Xabier ZANDIO ECHAIDE, Sky, at 4:02
• 45. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, Sky, at 4:06
• 46. Thomas DEKKER, Garmin-Sharp, at 4:08
• 47. Vladimir GUSEV, Katusha, at 4:08
• 48. Emanuele SELLA, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 4:09
• 49. Jorge AZANZA SOTO, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 4:11
• 50. Christian VANDEVELDE, Garmin-Sharp, at 4:16
• 51. Leonardo Fabio DUQUE, Colombia, at 4:21
• 52. Darwin ATAPUMA HURTADO, Colombia, at 4:24
• 53. Rafael VALLS FERRI, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 4:24
• 54. Johan LE BON, FDJ, at 4:26
• 55. Miguel MINGUEZ AYALA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 4:26
• 56. Frederik VEUCHELEN, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 4:29
• 57. Brian BULGAC, Lotto-Belisol, at 4:30
• 58. Jose Rodolfo SERPA PEREZ, Lampre-Merida, at 4:35
• 59. Egoi MARTINEZ DE ESTEBAN, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 4:35
• 60. Edoardo ZARDINI, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 4:35
• 61. Salvatore PUCCIO, Sky, at 4:36
• 62. Juan Jose COBO ACEBO, Movistar, at 4:38
• 63. Daniele PIETROPOLLI, Lampre-Merida, at 4:39
• 64. Danilo HONDO, RadioShack-Leopard, at 4:45
• 65. Patrick GRETSCH, Argos-Shimano, at 4:48
• 66. Sacha MODOLO, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 4:52
• 67. Robert VRECER, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 4:54
• 68. Petr IGNATENKO, Katusha, at 4:54
• 69. Pavel BRUTT, Katusha, at 4:55
• 70. Ivan SANTAROMITA, BMC Racing, at 4:59
• 71. Giampaolo CARUSO, Katusha, at 4:59
• 72. Martijn KEIZER, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 5:00
• 73. Francis DE GREEF, Lotto-Belisol, at 5:01
• 74. Rob RUIJGH, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 5:02
• 75. Dominique ROLLIN, FDJ, at 5:04
• 76. Dirk BELLEMAKERS, Lotto-Belisol, at 5:05
• 77. Giairo ERMETI, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 5:06
• 78. Gorka VERDUGO MARCOTEGUI, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 5:10
• 79. Adam HANSEN, Lotto-Belisol, at 5:11
• 80. Thomas DAMUSEAU, Argos-Shimano, at 5:13
• 81. Christian MEIER, Orica-GreenEdge, at 5:14
• 82. Lars Ytting BAK, Lotto-Belisol, at 5:15
• 83. Danilo WYSS, BMC Racing, at 5:15
• 84. Sonny COLBRELLI, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 5:16
• 85. Gianluca BRAMBILLA, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 5:18
• 86. Robinson Eduardo CHALAPUD GOMEZ, Colombia, at 5:25
• 87. Grega BOLE, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 5:25
• 88. Pieter WEENING, Orica-GreenEdge, at 5:26
• 89. Mads CHRISTENSEN, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 5:27
• 90. Alex DOWSETT, Movistar, at 5:27
• 91. Kristijan DURASEK, Lampre-Merida, at 5:35
• 92. Francesco Manuel BONGIORNO, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 5:36
• 93. Stefano LOCATELLI, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 5:36
• 94. Paul MARTENS, Blanco, at 5:37
• 95. Albert TIMMER, Argos-Shimano, at 5:41
• 96. Dmitriy GRUZDEV, Astana, at 5:41
• 97. Fabio ARU, Astana, at 5:42
• 98. Koen DE KORT, Argos-Shimano, at 5:44
• 99. Nicola BOEM, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 5:50
• 100. Willem WAUTERS, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 5:52
• 101. Alessandro PRONI, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 5:53
• 102. Jesse SERGENT, RadioShack-Leopard, at 5:53
• 103. Hubert DUPONT, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 5:53
• 104. Luke DURBRIDGE, Orica-GreenEdge, at 5:54
• 105. Maurits LAMMERTINK, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 5:57
• 106. Stefano GARZELLI, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 5:57
• 107. Murilo Antonio FISCHER, FDJ, at 5:58
• 108. George BENNETT, RadioShack-Leopard, at 5:58
• 109. Valerio AGNOLI, Astana, at 5:59
• 110. Fabio SABATINI, Cannondale, at 6:01
• 111. Robert HUNTER, Garmin-Sharp, at 6:03
• 112. Elia VIVIANI, Cannondale, at 6:05
• 113. Jackson RODRIGUEZ, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 6:08
• 114. Laurent PICHON, FDJ, at 6:08
• 115. Matteo RABOTTINI, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 6:09
• 116. Brett LANCASTER, Orica-GreenEdge, at 6:15
• 117. Svein TUFT, Orica-GreenEdge, at 6:15
• 118. Ricardo MESTRE, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 6:17
• 119. Paolo TIRALONGO, Astana, at 6:18
• 120. Marco MARCATO, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 6:22
• 121. Danny PATE, Sky, at 6:22
• 122. Maarten TJALLINGII, Blanco, at 6:22
• 123. Paolo LONGO BORGHINI, Cannondale, at 6:24
• 124. Miguel Angel RUBIANO CHAVEZ, Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, at 6:25
• 125. Giacomo NIZZOLO, RadioShack-Leopard, at 6:29
• 126. Ramunas NAVARDAUSKAS, Garmin-Sharp, at 6:29
• 127. Simone STORTONI, Lampre-Merida, at 6:31
• 128. Frederik WILLEMS, Lotto-Belisol, at 6:34
• 129. Alan MARANGONI, Cannondale, at 6:37
• 130. Tiziano DALL’ANTONIA, Cannondale, at 6:39
• 131. Vicente REYNES MIMO, Lotto-Belisol, at 6:46
• 132. Roberto FERRARI, Lampre-Merida, at 6:46
• 133. Fredrik Carl Wilhelm KESSIAKOFF, Astana, at 6:47
• 134. Julien VERMOTE, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 6:47
• 135. Pablo LASTRAS GARCIA, Movistar, at 6:48
• 136. Luca PAOLINI, Katusha, at 6:52
• 137. Iljo KEISSE, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 6:53
• 138. Filippo POZZATO, Lampre-Merida, at 6:54
• 139. Peter STETINA, Garmin-Sharp, at 6:58
• 140. Rory SUTHERLAND, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 6:59
• 141. Rafael ANDRIATO, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 7:00
• 142. Edwin Alcibiades AVILA VANEGAS, Colombia, at 7:04
• 143. Ioannis TAMOURIDIS, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 7:13
• 144. Luka MEZGEC, Argos-Shimano, at 7:14
• 145. Andrey ZEITS, Astana, at 7:17
• 146. Daniel OSS, BMC Racing, at 7:22
• 147. Michal GOLAS, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 7:22
• 148. Francisco José VENTOSO ALBERDI, Movistar, at 7:29
• 149. Yaroslav POPOVYCH, RadioShack-Leopard, at 7:35
• 150. Pim LIGTHART, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 7:41
• 151. Wilson Alexander MARENTES TORRES, Colombia, at 7:43
• 152. Guillaume BONNAFOND, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 7:46
• 153. Cameron WURF, Cannondale, at 7:53
• 154. Nelson Filipe SANTOS SIMOES OLIVEIRA, RadioShack-Leopard, at 7:56
• 155. Matteo TRENTIN, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 7:57
• 156. Bruno PIRES, Saxo-Tinkoff, at 8:00
• 157. Mark CAVENDISH, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at 8:05
• 158. Gert DOCKX, Lotto-Belisol, at 8:05
• 159. Jarlinson PANTANO, Colombia, at 8:09
• 160. Jens KEUKELEIRE, Orica-GreenEdge, at 8:18
• 161. Bert DE BACKER, Argos-Shimano, at 8:22
• 162. Stefano PIRAZZI, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 8:28
• 163. Marco CANOLA, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, at 8:38
• 164. Cayetano José SARMIENTO TUNARROSA, Cannondale, at 8:47
• 165. Kenny DE HAES, Lotto-Belisol, at 8:53
• 166. Jens MOURIS, Orica-GreenEdge, at 9:07
• 167. Oscar GATTO, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at 9:28
• 168. Cristiano SALERNO, Cannondale, at 9:33
• 169. Adam BLYTHE, BMC Racing, at 11:42
• 170. Davide APPOLLONIO, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 11:47
• 171. Manuel BELLETTI, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 14:31
• 172. Maxim BELKOV, Katusha, at 14:44

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the stage 18 individual time trial at the Giro d’Italia on Thursday in Polsa. Nibali was the last starter and logged the fastest time, a 44:29, in the 20.6-kilometer climbing test to win his first stage of the 96th Giro.

Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was second, at 58 seonds, and Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) was third, at 1:20.

Nibali extended his hold on the maglia rosa with three days of racing remaining. He leads second overall Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) by 4:02 and third overall Rigoberto Urán (Sky) by 4:12.

“I have a significant advantage now and that will allow me to control the coming two stages in more tranquil fashion,” said Nibali.

The Giro d’Italia continues Friday with the 139km 19th stage from Ponte di Legno to Val Martello. The Passo di Gavia and Passo dello Stelvio are both on the menu, but organizers may be forced to reroute the stage due to snow.

Sanchez nearly hangs on to the stage win

The climbing TT started in the Mori Velodrome and quickly headed skyward, gaining a total of 1,018 vertical meters. After a flat opening kilometer, the road climbed at a steady six-percent gradient for 6km. After a brief respite, the climb kicked up again, rising for almost 7km with an average gradient of seven percent and ramps as steep as 10 percent.

Cool temperatures and rain blanketed the corsa rosa on Thursday.

Stage 8 time trial winner Alex Dowsett (Movistar) has an engine built more for the flat chronos than the climbing tests and after an early bike change, he did not factor.

“It’s a completely different race [than a flat time trial],” he said. “I didn’t enjoy that much. It’s a completely different dynamic. It’s pure power-to-weight ratio. There’s not a lot of technique to it. If there is, I don’t have it. I paced my effort quite well. I had to change my time trial bike right at the bottom, because my gears were not working. If there was an edge to be had, it was on my TT bike. I had to swap straight away and do the rest on my road bike.”

Stef Clement (Blanco) registered an early fast time, finishing in 46:05 to take the lead with the GC heavy hitters still to come.

Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) registered a 45:49 to unseat Clement and take the lead just moments before Evans rolled down the start ramp as the penultimate starter. The 2011 Tour de France champion was focused in the start house, his mouth closed, before he burst onto the track to try and erase his 1:26 gap to Nibali.

Moments later, Nibali exploded out of the start house, resplendent in his pink skinsuit.

Best young rider contender Rafal Majka (Saxo-Tinkoff) set the second fastest time at the time check halfway into the stage, but it was 2008 Olympic champion Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) blazing the quickest path up to Polsa. The Spaniard logged the day’s best time, in 45:27.

“I am content with the legs I had up the stage,” said Sánchez. “I’ve been looking for a stage victory in this Giro. I’ve had good sensations in the last week. It was getting wet and some of the corners were getting dangerous.”

Evans rode through the intermediate time check well off Michele Scarponi’s (Lampre-Merida) new fastest time; it was clear the Aussie was not on a good ride. Nibali was doing the opposite, however, and set a new standard at the halfway point. For his part, Urán was holding his own and protecting his third overall placing.

“When you’re halfway into the time trial, it’s not like I can find an extra minute,” said Evans. “It’s not for lack of trying that I lose a minute or two minutes.”

Majka dropped off the pace on the upper reaches of the climb and logged the third fastest time at the finish, 27 seconds slower than Sánchez. Best young rider Carlos Betancur (Ag2r La Mondiale) was chasing Majka, climbing out of the saddle, his bike lurching from left to right, over the final kilometer. The Colombian finished seven seconds adrift of Majka, forfeiting the white jersey ahead of the race’s final three stages.

The rain began falling harder as the GC leaders climbed toward the finish. Scarponi pushed to the finish in the saddle, but saw his hopes of a stage win close with 100 meters to go when the clock ticked over Sánchez’s mark. The race’s 2010 champion logged the third fastest time, 23 seconds adrift.

Down the road, Nibali was putting big time into Evans, extending his overall lead beyond two and then three minutes as the Aussie neared the finish.

“He was my reference point, so when I heard I was closing the gap to him it pushed me to go that bit harder,” said Nibali.

Urán sprinted over the line to log the fifth fastest time, 28 seconds slower than Sánchez, and defend his podium position against Scarponi, who would leave the stage 1:02 off the Colombian’s overall time.

Evans stood on the pedals and pushed his way into the fence-lined final kilometer. Nibali was not far behind.

With Nibali only 100 meters behind him, the top times ticked by as Evans rode into the final 400 meters.

“When you’re near winning, you want to be winning, and that’s where your hopes maybe rise above your capabilities, but overall, today wasn’t what I was looking for or even expecting,” said Evans. “I’m unlikely to win [the overall], but since I came here for training for the Tour de France, second place isn’t so bad.”

Second is far from guaranteed for Evans, however. Urán pulled to within 10 seconds of the Australian on Thursday. Evans said that with winter weather threatening to force reroutes of stages 19 and 20, he couldn’t yet think about how to defend his runner-up position over the race’s two big mountain days to come.

“Who knows even what race we’ll have tomorrow. Do we have a race? I don’t even know, so it’s hard to have in mind what I’m going to do and how things are going to go right now,” he said.

Backstage, Sánchez shook his head. Evans logged the 24th fastest time, 1:38 down. The Spaniard could dream of the stage, but not for long.

Less than a minute later, Nibali pushed toward the line, looking down at his handlebars. He crossed the line, in pouring rain, with the stage win in hand and pumped his right fist in celebration.

“I’m happy with my performance,” said Sánchez. “It wasn’t enough to beat the pink jersey, but he’s been the strongest
rider here. To beat Nibali today was mission impossible.”