By Alasdair Fotheringham
LAGO LACENO, Italy (Reuters) May 13 – Italian climber
Domenico Pozzovivo claimed an impressive solo win in Sunday’s
mountainous finale at Lago Laceno, while Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal
retained the overall lead.
Cheered on by dozens of supporters waving his photos from
his nearby home town of Policoro, the Colnago-CSF rider broke
away 6.5 kilometres from the finish on the second-category Colle
Molella climb.
“I hope this victory, my first in the Giro, inspires other
riders from the south of Italy to try to turn professional in
these difficult financial times,” Pozzovivo told reporters.
“There are just two pros from my region and I’d like there
to be more.
“The last two kilometres seemed never ending but my heart
told me I could win it because this stage is the closest the
Giro comes to my home.”
Thirteenth overall after his strong mountain performance,
Pozzovivo – who describes himself as a piano-playing amateur
meteorologist – he did not rule out going for the overall
victory.
“I’m usually strongest in the third week of a Grand Tour, so
that’s a good sign. This Giro route is tough but not as inhumane
as previous years, so that may suit me too.”
Spain’s Benat Intxausti finished second, 23 seconds back, on
the long, hot 229-km stage from Sulmona to Lago Laceno. Spain’s
Joaquim Rodriguez led a group of 23 riders for third.
Hesjedal said he had struggled on the relentlessly steep
slopes of the Colle Mella, a climb deep in the Picentini
mountain range which is home to some of the last wolves in
Europe.
“It was a tough day, the tempo that was set on a three
kilometre climb at 10 percent was tough. I had to buckle down
and try and defend the jersey.
“If it worked out I was able to stay in contact and that was
it.”
Overall Hesjedal leads Rodriguez by nine seconds, with
Saturday’s seventh-stage winner Paolo Tiralongo in third.
The Canadian should have fewer problems on Monday’s shorter,
flat 166-km run from San Giorgio del Sannio to Frosinone.
The Giro d’Italia finishes on May 27th in Milan.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
