Julian Arredondo wins 18th stage of Giro d’Italia as Cadel Evans falls further

CADEL EVANS’ Giro d’Italia chances are in tatters after he plummeted further down the standings on the 18th stage, won by Julian Arredondo.

Colombian Julian Arredondo celebrates his victory as he crosses the finish line of the 18th stage of the 97th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy, cycling race from Belluno to Rifugio Panarotta on May 29, 2014 in Rifugio Panarotta. AFP PHOTO/LUK BENIES

CADEL EVANS’ Giro d’Italia chances are in tatters after he plummeted further down the standings on the 18th stage, won by Julian Arredondo.

King of the mountains Arredondo won the stage as Colombian compatriot Nairo Quintana held onto the overall race lead.

But 2011 Tour de France winner Evans was the big loser.

The 37-year-old BMC rider was dropped by the group of favourites and finished more than four minutes off the pace, falling from third to ninth overall, five minutes down.

Trek’s Arredondo broke clear of an escape group in the final 4km and held off another compatriot Fabio Duarte to take the victory by 17 seconds.

“I’ve been trying since the start to win a stage,” said Arredondo, who was quick to thank his team’s for keeping faith.

“I want to thank the team for believing in me when I was a total unknown. I’ve been making huge sacrifices over the years without anyone really believing in me.”

Irishman Philip Deignan of Team Sky finished third, 37sec back, at the end of the 171km ride from Belluno to Rif. Panarotta.

Quintana, who took the leader’s maglia rosa (pink jersey) by winning Tuesday’s 16th stage, leads another Colombian, Rigoberto Uran, by 1min 41sec with Frenchman Pierre Rolland up to third overall at 3min 29sec.

“I’m satisfied,” said Quintana, who will be happy to have saved precious energy for two tough stages ahead, a crucial individual time trial to Monte Grappa on Friday and the mountain stage to Monte Zoncolan on Saturday’s penultimate day.

“The stage was pretty easy. There were a few attacks going up the final climb, but we managed to control the riders who were a threat to us.

“I had good legs and I’m feeling better as the days go on. I’m optimistic of doing well in the Monte Grappe time trial.”

Arredondo soloed to the biggest win of his life in a thrilling finish on the final climb in which the lead changed several times.

After Belgian Thomas De Gendt and Italian Franco Pellizotti had both tried their luck, Arredondo finally made a solo break stick.

Duarte, who had covered an earlier dig from Arredondo 6km out, tried to respond but this time could not bridge the gap.

Behind the breakaway riders, the battle was on for podium places as Movistar’s Quintana expertly marshalled any danger to his overall lead.

Evans was the first to crack, giving Rolland, whose attacks thinned out the favourites’ group, the chance to snatch a podium spot.

But Rolland has two riders just two seconds back after Italian Fabio Aru of Astana pulled back a handful of seconds on the Europcar rider.

Aru is fourth on the same time as fifth-placed Rafal Majka with Italian Domenico Pozzovivo just 23sec behind Rolland in sixth.