Giro d'Italia 2014 - 14th stage : Agliè - Oropa (Biella)-164km

In the early stages of the 14th stage, a group of about 20 riders broke away, including riders from almost every team. Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani-CSF), Dario Cataldo (Sky) and Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) took the victory on the final climb.

by Bruno Fleckenstein

The group of favorites around the rider in the pink leotard were on the heels of the leading group, but could not catch them until the end. There were several chasing groups on the leading group, because the initial leading group gradually dissolved.

A few kilometers before the finish, Albert Timmer (Giant-Shiamno) was leading the race. Jarlinson Pantano(Colombia) and Dario Cataldo (Sky)were his first chasing group. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) and Pierre Rolland (Europcar) were the second duo behind the leader. They were followed by Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale), Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and the rest of the favorites.

About two kilometers before the finish, the first chase group had caught up with the leader. The other chasing teams also came closer to the leading group, including Jan Pollanc(Lampre).

With 800 meters to go Cataldo, Pantano, Polanc and Timmer were in the lead. Enrico Bataglin (Bardiani-CSF)caught up and joined the leader quartet. Four other riders were close behind them. About 250 meters from the finish, Sky rider Cataldo attacked in the right turn and tried to drop his rivals. But Pantano and Battaglin could not be shaken off. Polanc, however, stayed behind. In the last left turn 125 meters before the finish Pantano passed Cataldo. Battaglin was still third. The fight for the stage win was about to be decided. Cataldo passed Pantano again. Battaglin followed him, Pantano gave up and was content to finish third in this stage. Meanwhile, the two leaders fought relentlessly for the win and Enrico Battaglin managed to pass Dario Cataldo 10 meters from the finish to take the day's victory. It was an impressive fight of these first three riders until the end.

In the overall classification, not much changed for the favorites because there were not too big gaps between them. Nairo Quintana arrived at the finish line in 15th place, 2:39 minutes behind the winner, and made up about half a minute on the overall time of the current leader. He was followed by Fabio Aru, Domenico Pozzovivo, Wilco Keldermann, Rafal Majka, Wouter Poels, Cadel Evan and Rigoberto Uran.

Overall standings after the 14th stage

1st Rigoberto Uran (Omega-Quick Step) 57h52:51
2nd Cadel Evans (BMC) +0:32 min.
3rd Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) +1:35min.
4th Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) +2:11min.
5th Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) +2:33min.
6th Nairo Quintana (Movistar) +3:04min.
7th Fabio Aru (Astana) +3:16min.
8th Wout Poels (Omega-Quick Step) +4:01min.
9th Pierre Rolland (Europcar) +5:07min.
10th Robert Kiserlovski (Trek) +5:13min.

Enrico Battaglin 10 meters from the finish passes Dario Cataldo(blue kit).