Giro 2015 Stage 16: Landa 2nd win in a row, Contador cements GC lead

Stage 16 is a delicacy for mountain goats reaching its zenith with the feared Mortirolo. At that climb the race explodes with an impressive catch up by Contador after he punctured earlier. Along with Landa and Kruijswijk El Pistolero is in charge from that moment on. With 4 kilometres left Landa leaves his companiond and solos to the win and second plance overall. Contador cements his GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 16th stage 2015 Giro

1. Mikel Landa (spa)
2. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 0.38
3. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
4. Yuri Trofimov (rus) + 2.00
5. Andrey Amador (crc) s.t.
6. Ryder Hesjedal (can) + 2.10
7. Fabio Aru (ita) + 2.49
8. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 3.14
9. Leopold König (cze) + 3.19
10. Carlos Betancur (col) s.t.

GC after stage 16
1. Alberto Contador (spa)
2. Mikel Landa (spa) + 4.20
3. Fabio Aru (ita) + 4.52
4. Andrey Amador (crc) + 5.48
5. Yuri Trofimov (rus) + 8.27
6. Leopold König (cze) + 9.31
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 9.52
8. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 11.40
9. Alexandre Geniez (fra) + 12.48
10. Ryder Hesjedal (can) + 12.49

Race report
It’s uphill from the start. Attacks galore and eventually a group of twenty riders break clear. Betancur is the first to crest and grabs most KOM point in doing so. In the descent Pellizotti and Zardini get of the front and they are accompanied by Bookwalter, Felline, Delacruz, Fernandez, Niemiec, Hesjedal, Mihaylov, Armée and Simon Clarke. The last rider hooks up just after cresting Passo Tonale and with eleven they drop down for 30 km’s.

While climbing up to Aprica for the first time Hesjedal goes solo. He is the first to crest, 1 minute before the chasers, 2 minutes before the pack. In the drop Contador punctures and he is forced to chase while closing in on the Mortirolo. Astana and Katusa join forces to hurt the leader, meaning it soon is end of story for the former escapees, including Hesjedal.

Contador is 0’50” down on Aru at the foot of the Mortirolo and via a super-performance he climbs back to the side of his rival with 8 km’s left to the top. Kruijswijk is upfront and after taking some time to recover Contador jumps to the front of the race, Landa on his wheel. Aru is left behind.

Kruijswijk is first to crest, along with Contador and Aru. Trofimov and Hesjedal are 1 minute down, Amador and Aru are 2 minutes down. In the valley Aru is forced to chase due to a mechanical problem.

With 4 km’s left Landa attacks and he powers to the win. Kruijswijk is second en is the new KOM leader.

Contador cements his overall lead with a comfortable gain over Mikel Landa, Fabio Aru is third.