Giro d'Italia 2014 - 20th stage : Maniago -Monte Zocolan (167km)

The final mountain stage was won by Tinkoff rider Michael Rogers. More importantly, Rigoberto Uran crossed the finish line in 18th place on the back of Nairo Quintana. Uran has the last chance to challenge Quintana for the trophy tomorrow. And it could hardly get more exciting, even if Quintana already has a considerable lead.

by Bruno Fleckenstein

An outsider group led the 20th stage in which Dario Cataldo (Sky) was able to win the first mountain classification on the Passo del Pura. From the once 19-strong leading group, Michael Rogers (Tinkoff), Franco Pellizotti (Androni) and Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani) emerged as the strongest of the day.

With 3 kilometers to go, an over-motivated spectator tried to push Bongiorno. Bongiorno's front wheel touched Rogers' rear wheel, causing him to stumble and lose his rhythm. This ultimately gave Michael Rogers his second stage win of this year's Tour, having already won the 11th stage. Franco Pellizotti followed 38 seconds later, followed by Francesco Bongiorno, who arrived 11 seconds after Pellizotti.

The top ten riders arrived at the finish with the peloton. Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran crossed the finish line almost wheel to wheel with a 4:45 minute delay on the winner. Behind them, Wouter Poels, Rafal Majka, Fabio Aru and Pierre Rolland followed 5 to 20 seconds behind. Therefore, there was little change in the overall standings.

Overall standings after the 20th stage
1st Nairo Quintana (Movistar) 83h50:25
2nd Rigoberto Uran (Omega-Quick Step) +3:07min.
3rd Fabio Aru (Astana) +4:04min.
4th Pierre Rolland (Europcar) +5:46min.
5th Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) +6:41min.
6th Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) +7:13min.
7th Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) +11:09min.
8: Cadel Evans (BMC) +12:00min.
9th Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) +13:35min.
10th Robert Kiserlovski (Trek) +15:49min.

Franco Pellizotti