Colombia’s Einer Rubio (Movistar) snatched victory in the 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia from Ecuador’s Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education), who would finish the day between Le Châble and Crans-Montana in third place, reduced to 74.6 km due to poor time, in which the British Geraint Thomas (Ineos) kept the lead.

Rubio was the most nimble of the three drivers who broke away and debated the sprint stage. At the finish, he attacked 200 meters to enter with a time of 2 hours 16 minutes 22 seconds, followed by Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (Groupama) and Cepeda.

Overall, without changes, Thomas continues with jersey pink with 2 seconds ahead of Slovenian Primož Roglič (Jumbo Visma) and 22 ahead of Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE Emirates).

This Saturday, the fourteenth stage between Sierra and Cassano Magnag, 194 km long, is being driven.

Victory looked set to slip away from Ecuador’s Cepeda with 1.9 kilometers to go when France’s Pinot pulled away and Colombia’s Rubio took third. But vest continued in the last kilometer.

Injected with force, he shot in a small downhill 600 meters to the finish line.

The moment of truth was in the final climb, where Rubio activated and prevailed after a display of intelligence.

“I was looking for him. The other day I had problems with the rain, but I knew I didn’t have to give up. Today I got my chance and I respected it,” said the exhausted Colombian at the press conference.

“I knew that Pinot was coming very well, Cepeda also well, so I just had to leave them both and play a bit of strategy and that’s why I waited until the end,” added the stage winner.

Rubio crossed the finish line 6 seconds ahead of Pinot, 12 seconds ahead of Cepeda and 1 minute 35 seconds ahead of the main favorites who neutralized each other in this mountain stage.

(D)