Visconti doubles up to win his second Giro stage in four days as pink jersey holder Nibali preserves his overall lead over Evans
PUBLISHED: Daily Mail UK, 22 May 2013
Giovanni Visconti claimed his second Giro d'Italia stage win inside four days as the Movistar rider again produced a stunning solo ride to blow away his rivals.
The Italian was hugely impressive in winning Sunday's punishing 15th stage in the snow-hit Alps, and was again on searing form this afternoon as he timed his break to perfection on the 214-kilometre 17th stage from Caravaggio to Vicenza.
Visconti attacked 20km from the finish of the Crosara climb as he came home in a time of five hours 15 minutes and 34 seconds, 19 seconds clear of Garmin's Ramunas Navardauskas.
King of Vicenza: Italy's Giovanni Visconti celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia
Winning smile: Giovanni Visconti celebrates on the podium after his victory
Astana's Vincenzo Nibali maintained the overall lead, the pink jersey holder coming home in the peloton to preserve his 1min 19secs lead over BMC Racing's Cadel Evans.
Movistar came into the day on a high after Benat Intxausti's win yesterday and Visconti's stage 15 triumph prior to Monday's rest day.
With Spanish sprinter Francesco Ventoso also a threat on the largely flat trek, Movistar had plenty of reason to anticipate a third straight stage win - and fourth overall following Alex Dowsett's victory on stage eight's time trial.
Bonding: Giovanni Visconti, right, is hugged by Spanish Movistar team-mate Pablo Lastras after his win at the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia
Lining up: The pack pedals during the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia
Still in front: Vincenzo Nibali celebrates his pink jersey for the overall lead after completing the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia
Visconti duly obliged, reeling in leaders Miguel Rubiano (Androni) and Danilo Di Luca (Vini Fantini) on the day's main climb before powering clear over the final kilometres.
'It's an incredible feeling,' said Visconti.
'This was definitely a stage which suited both me or Ventoso and we had targeted it in the morning.'
The action continues tomorrow with a 20.6km time trial between Mori and Polsa. The 96th edition of the Giro concludes on Sunday with the 21st stage into Brescia.