Kruijswijk keen to take advantage of form at Giro d’Italia

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Steven Kruijswijk heads the leading group(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

History will recall Alberto Contador’s comeback on the Mortirolo and Mikel Landa’s solo victory in Aprica, but Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) had to content himself with consolation prizes at the end of stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia.

The Dutchman forged clear with Contador and Landa seven kilometres from the top of the Mortirolo, and he performed most of the pace-making duties on the way up the climb. Contador provided more lasting help on the descent and the final haul to Aprica, while Landa, citing the forlorn chase of Astana teammate Fabio Aru – sat in the wheels, only to solo clear with a little over four kilometres remaining.

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.