Joan Horrach (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) (Image credit: Sirotti)
After falling out the top of the general classification, Caisse d'Epargne realigned its aims in the Giro d'Italia towards stage wins, and today in Sestri Levante, Joan Horrach gave them what they wanted. The pony-tailed Spanish rider attacked inside the final kilometre to beat the rest of the lead group of six. Addy Engels (Quick.Step) took second ahead of Emanuele Sella (Panaria).
The break was part of a bigger move of 15 that went after only eight kilometres, but on the Passo del Bracco it split to pieces, leaving just six in front. On the descent, Sella attacked with Manuele Mori, but both riders came to grief on the second part of the twisty downhill, crashing against the barriers. They were caught by the four chasers, then Mori attacked and crashed again further down, causing Sella (at the back of the chase group) also to come off. The pair finished up chasing the other four, only catching them with 1 km to go. But the cards eventually fell Horrach's way, after the Spaniard waited until all the others had attacked before making his winning move.
In the general classification, there were a few changes to the top 10. Sella moved himself up from 22nd to 4th, thanks to his 7 minute plus bonus over the bunch at the finish, while Serguei Gonchar dropped out from third after he crashed early in the stage and was subsequently dropped on the Passo del Bracco. Also, Wladimir Belli and Manuel Beltrán moved up the rankings today.
