SPANIARD JON IZAGUIRRE won stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia while his countryman Joaquim Rodriguez retained the overall lead on Tuesday.
Izaguirre (Euskaltel-Euskadi) attacked on a steep climb close to the finish to clinch the 174-kilometre stage from Limone sul Garda to Falzes/Pfalzen in four hours and two minutes.
The 23-year-old, who last year turned professional, finished 16 seconds ahead of Italy’s Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli) and Dutchman Stef Clement (Rabobank).
It was Izaguirre’s second professional win following his time trial triumph at the Vuelta a Asturias in April.
Rodriguez (Katusha) kept the leader’s pink jersey after crossing the line alongside his main rivals in the peloton almost nine minutes adrift.
Stage 17 of the Giro is a 187-kilometre ride from Falzes/Pfalzen to Cortina d’Ampezzo on Wednesday.
