Tough day for Wiggins in Giro

Bradley Wiggins slipped to sixth place in the overall standings after a gruelling fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia.

Starting in second place, 17 seconds behind Italian Luca Paolini, Wiggins fell a further 17 seconds behind the leader in a stage won by another Italian, Enrico Battaglin.

Battaglin overhauled long-time stage leader Danilo Di Luca in a dramatic finish after Di Luca and Colombian Robinson Eduardo Chapalud Gomez had earlier burst clear in the hunt for victory.

Riders had to cope with driving rain and poor visibility for the majority of the tough 246km stage to Serra San Bruno.

Although Wiggins is now 34 secs adrift of the pink jersey he shares the same time with last year’s race winner, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, who is in fifth place.

Wiggins’ Team Sky team-mate Rigoberto Uran moved up to second place overall after finishing 10th in Tuesday’s stage.