Rodriguez takes overall Giro lead with stage win

Spanish rider Joaquin Rodriguez triumphed in Assisi at the climax to stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia as he moved into the pink jersey position.

Rodriguez, competing for the Katusha team, completed the 186-kilometre ride inland from Civitavecchia, a coastal town north of Rome, to the historic finish point in four hours, 25 minutes and five seconds.

The 33-year-old crossed the line just two seconds clear of Polish rider Bartosz Huzarski, who finished in second place for Team NetApp, and Movistar’s Italian Giovanni Visconti.

The victory lifted Rodriguez to the top of the overall classification standings, nudging Canadian Ryder Hesjedal down to second place.

Rodriguez holds a 17-second lead over the Garmin Barracuda man, with Astana’s Paolo Tiralongo a further 15 seconds adrift.