Giro 2015 Stage 11: Zakarin solos to victory

In 153 rainy kilometres stage 11 leads from van Forlì to the Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola. Ilnur Zakarin, winner of the Tour de Romandie, is the best of the breakaway and he solos to victory. Betancur wins the sprint of the chasers. Contador retains the pink jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 11th stage 2015 Giro

1. Ilnur Zakarin (rus)
2. Carlos Betancur (col) + 0.53
3. Franco Pelizotti (ita) s.t
4. Beñat Intxausti (spa) s.t.
5. Diego Rosa (spa) s.t.
6. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) s.t.
7. Ryder Hesjedal (can) s.t.
8. Maciej Paterski (pol) +0.58
9. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
10. Juan Lobato (spa) + 1.02

20. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
21. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
29. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
31. Richie Porte (Aas) s.t.

GC after stage 11
1. Alberto Contador (spa)
2. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.03
3. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.46
4. Dario Cataldo (ita) + 1.16
5. Roman Kreuziger (cze) + 1.46
6. Giovanni Visconti (ita) + 2.02
7. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 2.10
8. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 2.20
9. Andrey Amador (crc) + 2.24
10. Leopold König (cze) + 2.30

12. Richie Porte (aus) + 3.09

Race report
In the opening km’s it’s ‘gruppo compatto’ as the first intermediate sprint is scheduled at 7.6 km’s. Nizzolo takes full score, followed by Viviani, Boem, Belkov and Grosu…

Despite several attacks the pack is still together while climbing Passo del Trebbio, but at the top Intxausti, Kruijswijk, Zakarin and Rosa enjoy a 0’10” lead. In the drop they are accompanied by Betancur, Hesjedal, Montaguti, Pellizotti, Fernandez and Rutkiewicz. The breakaway races to a maximum gain of 4 minutes.

While descending Valico del Prugno the pack breaks, resulting in high speeds and the escapees getting closer. All GC men are in the first peloton.

When cresting Tre Monti for the second time Hernandez, Rutkiewicz and Montaguti are dropped and the pack is two minutes down, while one round later the gap has shrunken to 1 minute. Just under the top Zakarin escapes to go solo. When crossing the line he enjoys a 0’40” gain.

Zakarin is pushing hard and with 10 km’s left the chasers are 1 minute down, while the peloton is at 1’30”. It goes to show the Russian rider is a time tialist and he solos to victory.