Previous race leader Cadel Evans was expected to tighten his grip on the pink jersey in yesterday's time trial stage of the Giro d'Italia but instead found himself pushed down to second place overall after a completely unexpected performance from Colombian rider Rigoberto Uran.
The Omega Pharma Quick Step rider, who was runner-up in last year's race but who is best known as a climber, covered the 41.9-kilometre Barolo time trial at a pace one minute, 17 seconds faster than closest rival Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida). Evans was a further 17 seconds back in third.
“To win the time trial has great significance for me personally, for my team, and for Colombia, and to take the Maglia Rosa as well is a nice surprise,” said Uran. “There’s a long way to go, of course, and the real mountains are still ahead of us, but today is important.”
Evans is now 37 seconds back in the overall standings and knows he has a battle on his hands to win the race. “As I said a few days ago, I saw Uran coming into form, but I honestly did not expect him to have such an amazing time trial. I had hoped to have done better myself. The time trial course suited me well.”
Irish riders Philip Deignan (Sky) and Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) held back in the race against the clock, preferring to save energy for another bid at a stage win. They were 87th and 125th respectively, and are now 43rd and 81st overall.
The Giro d’Italia continues today with a likely bunch sprint in Rivarolo Canavese.
