Einer Rubio sprinted to his first Grand Tour stage win as he claimed a time-shortened stage 13 at the Giro d’Italia.
The Colombian Movistar rider timed his sprint perfectly to overtake Thibaut Pinot and Jefferson Cepeda on the final climb in Crans Montana.
Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas maintained his two-second lead at the top of the general classification.
“Finally, my big day. I worked really hard for this,” Rubio, 25, said.
“I really wanted to prepare for this Giro. I’ve struggled with the bad weather, but I knew I shouldn’t give up.
“I wanted to keep looking for my own opportunities and thanks to God and everyone who helps me, my dream has come true today.”
The stage was shortened from 199km to 74.6km on Friday morning due to heavy rain and flooding as shortened tuesday from 207 km.
The start was moved to Le Chable, at the bottom of the Croix de Couer, instead of Borgofranco d’Ivrea, while the rest of the route to Crans Montana was unchanged.
Before the stage started, stage six winner Mads Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo retired from the race due to illness.
He is the 41st driver to leave the race due to Covid or other illnesses.
Stage 13 results
1. Einer Rubio (Col/Movistar) 2hrs 16mins 21 secs
2. Thibaut Pinot (De/Group-FDJ) +6s
3. Jefferson Cepeda (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +12 seconds
4. Derek Gee (Can/Israel-Premier Tech) +1 min 1 sec
5. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra/AG2R Citroen Team) +1min 29s
6. Hugh Carthy (GB/EF Education-EasyPost) same time
7. Joao Almeida (By/UAE Team Emirates) +1min 35secs
8. Eddie Dunbar (Ire/Team Jayco Alula) at the same time
9. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos Grenadiers)
10. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma)
General classification
1. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) 51 h 20 min 1 sec
2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) +2sec
3. Joao Almeida (By/UAE Team Emirates) +22secs
4. Andreas Leknessund (Nor/Team DSM) +42 seconds
5. Damiano Caruso (Ita/Bahrain victorious) +1min 28s
6. Lennard Kamna (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) +1 min 52 seconds
7. Eddie Dunbar (Ire/Team Jayco AIula) +2min 32s
8. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Ineos Grenadiers) +2min 45s
9. Laurens De Plus (Bel/Ineos Grenadiers) +3min 8s
10. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +3min 13s
