Roche falls short in stage bid but climbs to seventh overall

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche made a real statement of intent at the Giro d’Italia yesterday when he moved up to seventh overall following the day’s 203-kilometre trek from Taranto to Viggiano.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider was among a group of 30 or so who fought it out for the win on the final climb up to the finish and though Roche made a valiant bid for stage honours when he attacked with a kilometre to go, he was reeled in and had to settle for 15th, though he only lost one second to the winner.

Diego Ullisi (Lampre-Merida) was first over the line following a perfectly-timed late attack to win the first hilltop stage of this year’s race after a thrilling final kilometre that saw the first real battle involving the overall contenders.