Capecchi claims win on 18th Giro stage

Italian rider Eros Capecchi won the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia in a sprint finish today.

The Liquigas cyclist completed the 151-kilometre journey in three hours, 20 minutes and 38 seconds.

Capecchi attacked on the last curve and took victory on the flat finish in San Pellegrino Terme just ahead of compatriot Marco Pinotti of HTC and Belgium’s Kevin Seeldraeyers of Quick Step.

The peloton, including the race’s overall leader Alberto Contador, finished more than six minutes behind the leaders.

There was no change at the top of the standings with Contador of Saxo Bank-Sungard holding an advantage of four minutes and 58 seconds over Lampre’s Michele Scarponi.

Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas is third, five minutes and 45 seconds adrift of Contador with three stages to go.

The stage began at Morbegno and saw numerous splits in the peloton but it was not until 41km remaining that six riders pulled away to establish a lead.

As they headed to the first climb, three began to struggle and then dropped away.

With 29km to go, Pinotti went over the summit of the Passo di Ganda in first place, followed by Capecchi and Seeldraeyers as their lead over the peloton increased to four minutes.

As the race headed to the finish, good news arrived for Contador regarding his much-publicised failed doping test.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport have decided to delay the hearing, opening the door for the Spaniard to compete in the Tour de France.

The CAS will announce the final date, which was initially scheduled for June 6, 7 and 8, in the coming days.

The Tour de France starts on July 2.