Cadel Evans loses time to Giro leader Vincenzo Nibali

RACE leader Vincenzo Nibali extended his race lead over Australia's Cadel Evans as Mauro Santambrogio won a shortened 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia.

RACE leader Vincenzo Nibali extended his race lead over Australia's Cadel Evans as Mauro Santambrogio won a shortened 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia.

Nibali, of the Astana team, came over the finish line in second place after giving his fellow Italian the nod to take the stage win unhindered.

Evans, the 2011 Tour de France champion who started the day 41secs behind Nibali, crossed the line 33 seconds behind in sixth place.

The Australian kept second place overall but is now 1min 26sec down while Colombian Rigoberto Uran Uran remained third at 2:46.

After losing touch in the final kilometres, Evans, solid throughout the race so far, admitted his victory bid was now compromised: "It was not my best day.

Cadel-Evans

"I just couldn't react when the attack from Nibali came. I think that has something to do with the last couple of days.

"I hope this is my worst day in the mountains; otherwise to fight for the win will be difficult."

Saturday's stage in the high Italian Alps was shortened 12km, cutting out the climb to Sestriere due to fears over cold and wet conditions on the descent in the snow.

The finish was unaltered with a punishing final 7.3km climb at Jafferau above Bardonecchia.

Nibali's hopes of a maiden Giro win were boosted on Friday when main rival Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin) pulled out due to illness. Uran is now Sky's team leader.

Santambrogio's win pushed the 28-year-old up to fourth place overall but he is nearly three minutes off the pace and not considered a threat to Nibali.

"It was very cold... a very difficult stage," said the Nibali, who finished third in last year's Tour de France behind Wiggins and Chris Froome.

"When I attacked, I saw Mauro react and we went off together. All I thought about was taking as much time as possible."

A four-man breakaway held a four-minute lead at the foot of the final climb, an average gradient of nine per cent, but they were reeled in one by one.

"I can't believe it, I came to the Giro to win a stage and have done it," said Santambrogio, who rides for the modest Vini Fantni team.

Sunday's 15th stage, due to finish on the summit of the legendary Galibier climb in France, has also been altered due to poor weather conditions.

The finish line will now be moved from the Galibier's altitude of 2642 metres to 2301 metres, at the site of a statue commemorating fallen Italian champion Marco Pantani.