Colombia rider Rigoberto Uran moved into first place of the Giro d’Italia road cycling race after winning his first individual time trial, cycling sources reported on Thursday.
Uran rode the best time trial of his life when he overcame Australian race leader Cadel Evans with a finish time of 57:34 on the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
“It’s incredible, I’m really surprised,” said Uran after the stage, adding, “I didn’t think that I would win it. It’s a great day for my team and myself.”
Uran now leads Evans by 37 seconds and is the first Colombian to lead the Giro d’Italia.
The 27-year old Colombian powered through a hilly, 26 mile course amid scattered rain showers, from Barbaresco to Barolo to place one minute and 17 seconds faster than second-placed Diego Ulissi and one minute 34 seconds ahead of Evans in third place.
Uran’s first individual time trial victory has given Colombian cyclists 17 victories over the last three major cycling races including the Tour du Frace and the Vuelta a España, according to La Semana magazine.
Last year, Uran finished second at the Giro d’Italia, becoming the first Colombian ever to reach the podium of the Italian tour, according to Colombia’s Semana newsmagazine.
MORE: Giro d’Italia podium finish a ‘big deal’: Rigoberto Uran
The 12th stage marked the halfway point of the Giro d’Italia, which began with three stages between in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin in Ireland between May 9 and 11.
The race is set to conclude after the 21st stage in Trieste, Italy on June 1.
Sources
- Uran wins Giro d’Italia time trial on stage 12 (Cycling News)
- Uran gana la contrarreloj y es lider en el Giro (Semana)