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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti

88th Giro d'Italia - PT

Italy, May 7-29, 2005

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Stage 13 - May 21: Mezzocorona - Ortisei, 218 km

Commentary by Jeff Jones, with additional reporting from John Trevorrow and Tim Maloney

Complete live report

Live coverage starts: 14:30 CEST
Estimated finish: 17:15 CEST

14:18 CEST   
Welcome to the Dolomites for our live coverage of the 13th stage of the Giro, a 218 km slog between Mezzocorona and Ortisei. Today's stage has five categorised climbs and one non-categorised one, and on paper, it's one of the toughest in this year's Giro.

The stage climbs east out of the Adige valley into the heart of the Dolomiti, then hits the first GPM after 71km at Passo di Costalunga (1745m.), then climbs up to the monumental Passo di Sella (2244m.), followed by the Passo di Gardena (2121m) halfway through the stage. After the feed zone in Corvara in Badia, the long descent to the base of the penultimate ascent up Passo delle Erbe (2004m.), followed immediately by the non-categorised Passo Eores (1863m.). After this climb, Stage 13 has a long descent to Bressanone in the upper Adige Valley, across Ponte Gardena and then up the final 9km climb to Pontives, then into Ortisei for the finish.

This is a great chance for mountain man Gilberto Simoni to strut his stuff across the Dolomiti, but watch out also for the top GC men Ivan Basso (CSC) and Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery). Perhaps we could see Cunego in front today, but he'll need better legs than the other day when he lost six minutes!

There were 177 riders signing on in Mezzocorona to roll out at 10:50am. As well as sprinters McEwen, Vierhouten, O'Grady, Cooke, Kirsipuu, Liquigas-Bianchi's Stefano Garzelli was also a non-starter today in Mezzacorona. Garzelli explained that "I hurt my back and my leg when I crashed last week and for the last few days, I've been riding in pain, especially in my lower back. We did a scan that showed there is a lot of bruising there. My kidneys have been sore as well so we think it's better to abandon and get better than risk my health."

14:41 CEST   
It's been a fairly active stage so far, with the first attack going after 8 km involving Bram Schmitz (T-Mobile). That didn't last long, and he had another unsuccessful go at km 19. 1 km later, Rasmussen, Petrov, Baranowski and Horrach tried, and were joined by Joaquin Rodriguez (Saunier). Petrov, Baranowski and Horrach were dropped, and Rasmussen and Rodriguez were joined by Ivan Parra, Julio Perez Cuapio and Tadej Valjavec. This break eventually grew to 25 riders, but it was all back together again at km 27.

Straight away, Valjavec countered and took Ruben Lobato, Ivan Parra and Aitor Gonzalez with him. They were joined by another 16 riders and managed 40 seconds lead by km 32 (32.4 km were covered in the first hour of racing). Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) and Steven De Jongh (Rabobank) abandoned at this point.

The leading group featured the following riders: Paolo Tiralongo (Ceramica Panaria), Ivan Parra and José Rujano Guillen (Colombia - Selle Italia), Francesco Bellotti and Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), Wladimir Belli (Domina Vacanze), Aitor Gonzalez (Euskaltel), Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner), Joan Horrach Rippoll (Illes Balears), Giampaolo Caruso (Liberty Seguros), Andrea Noè (Liquigas-Bianchi), Tadej Valjavec (Phonak), Paolo Bettini and José Antonio Garrido (Quickstep), Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank), Juan Manuel Garate, Ruben Lobato and Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Saunier), Matthias Kessler and Jan Schaffrath (T-Mobile).

After 60 km, they had 4'44 on the gruppo maglia rosa, where Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) abandoned. Intergiro leader Sven Krauss was having difficulty following the group on the Passo di Costalunga, and had to drop off. The climb was won by mountains leader Rujano, ahead of his teammate Parra and Francesco Bellotti. Krauss trailed the lead group by 1'40 at the top, while the gruppo maglia rosa was at 5'48.

Marco Fertonani (Domina Vacanze), Thorwald Veneberg (Rabobank), and Ryder Hesjedal (Discovery) all abandoned the race on the climb.

14:51 CEST    130km/88km to go

And wait, there's more... (no free steak knives though - that costs extra):

Sven Krauss continued to lose more time on the leading group, as did the gruppo maglia rosa. At km 81, Krauss was over 2 minutes down, while the maglia rosa was at 6'20. It was at that point that David Navas (Illes Balears) and Joseba Beloki (Liberty Seguros) quit the race.

At the start of the Passo di Sella, maglia rosa Basso was 8'10 behind the break, with the leaders averaging 31.6 km/h over the first three hours. Sven Krauss was reabsorbed by the main peloton on the Passo di Sella. Over the top of the climb, it was Rujano winning the points again ahead of Bellotti, Parra, Garate, and Caucchioli. The maglia rosa crossed the summit 6'15 behind the break.

The 19 remaining riders tackled the Cat. 2 Passo Gardena next, with Rujano again winning the points ahead of Parra and Noè. Peron led Basso's group over at 7'00, with 100 km still to race.

On the descent, there was a crash involving Francisco Ventoso (Saunier) and Mads Christensen (Quick.Step). The Dane was able to get back on his bike straight away, but Ventoso stayed on the ground for longer.

In Covara (km 125), the lead group has 7'12 over the peloton.

14:52 CEST   
Maglia Rosa Basso told Cyclingnews before today's stage, "It's going to be very hard day today...I'm just going to sit back and watch what happens. The Passo delle Erbe will be a crucial moment in this Giro; I expect to get attacked and hope to defend myself."

14:56 CEST   
The average speed after four hours is 32.7 km/h.

Ventoso has abandoned after his crash.

14:58 CEST    135km/83km to go
A correction: Michael Blaudzun (Team CSC) isn't in the break, but Ruben Lobato (Saunier) is. Garate is the best placed rider on GC, starting the day 6'48 behind, so he is in virtual pink.

CSC is leading the peloton on the descent after the Gardena. And it's actually Blaudzun doing the work!

14:59 CEST   
Greeted by a huge group of his tifosi, Gilberto Simoni, who is from nearby Palu di Giovo, said before the start that, "It's nice to be at home. Sure, I know the climbs today but you have to do more than just that. It's nice day today and I'll say I'm not betting on anything; I'm here just to watch", joked Simoni. "I'll try to do something; you can bet on it. I hope for a big day today, with this weather and all my (tifosi), I hope that it gives me a lot of strength."

A smiling Cunego explained at the start that, "Anyone can have a bad day like I did, and I have to thank all the people who gave me support. It should be a good day today and hope our team is good, so we can do something important. We think Simoni can still win the Giro so we're going to ride for him."

15:01 CEST   
Paolo Bettini is wearing the points jersey in the lead group, as McEwen has gone home. Bettini is a strong candidate for this jersey, as well as the Intergiro. And the Most Combative, which is really a combination classification.

15:05 CEST    145km/73km to go
The peloton is holding steady at 7'30 as the leaders start the Passo Erbe (15.2 km at 8.7%, with a maximum of 16%). Bettini is at the front with one of the Saunier riders.

Tiralongo, who is in the lead group, is one of the few riders selected today to have the heart rate transponders on. He's sitting at 152 bpm, of a supposed max of 180.

15:07 CEST    148km/70km to go
Rujano looks very comfortable in the lead group. As he should, because the road is going uphill. He is followed by Vladimir Belli (Domina Vacanze).

The peloton hits the foot of the climb at 7'05.

15:09 CEST   
Bellotti is having problems in the leading group.

The peloton has seven CSC riders in front, with Basso in fourth wheel. All the other main favourites are there, including Cunego, Simoni, Di Luca, and so on. But groups are already starting to go off the back. Pozzato, Christensen, Joachim are among them.

15:10 CEST   
Cunego and Simoni attack the peloton!

15:11 CEST    149km/69km to go
This is the steepest part of the climb, and Cunego and Basso have made a surprise move. They have a bit of a gap, and Sella is trying to chase them. Basso hasn't moved yet, preferring to wait with his teammates.

15:12 CEST   
The Lampre duo are being hauled back in by CSC, which has the effect of reducing the peloton to about 20 riders. Basso is a fair way back though...

15:13 CEST   
Basso is off the back of the bunch now, but only by a handful of meters. His teammates go back for him, and Savoldelli takes over to try to chase down Simoni and Cunego.

15:14 CEST    150km/68km to go
Basso is sitting behind an Illes Balears rider, and is back on the Savoldelli group, which is about 15 riders strong. He has at least one teammate there.

15:16 CEST   
Cunego and Simoni are still away though, and Cunego is working hard for Gibo today. The next group with Basso and Savoldelli has 20 riders in it, about 15 seconds back.

In the lead group, Bettini, Bellotti and Schaffrath are in trouble. Joaquin Rodriguez, Aitor Gonzalez, and Jose Antonio Garrido have attacked in front.

15:17 CEST    152km/66km to go
The grade of the Erbe eases a bit now, and that will make it easier for Basso's group to chase back Simoni and Cunego, who have 18 seconds.

15:19 CEST   
Basso is now in third wheel behind two teammates - Schleck and Luttenberger - with Di Luca, Savoldelli and Atienza following. Gibo and Cunego have 25 seconds now. This is a very enterprising move!

15:22 CEST    153km/65km to go
No, it's Zabriskie leading Basso's group up the climb, some 25 seconds behind Gibo and Cunego, who are working very well together. They're flying on a flat section of the climb now.

15:24 CEST   
Cyclingnews' John Trevorrow (who has ridden the Giro 30 years ago by the way), spoke to several riders before the start today. Matt Wilson (FDJ) told us, "I'm OK. I feel really good. I'm not sick. I've just got to get through the next few days. It's gonna be tough, but we've got no sprinters to worry about now. Just get in the gruppetto, and see what happens down the track."

Nick Gates (Davitamon-Lotto) said, "Yeah, we'll just see how it goes. I'm just going to take it eeeaasy."

15:25 CEST   
Cunego and Simoni are now just 4'45 behind the front of the race, where the big break looks to have regrouped. Basso's group follows at 5'05, so 20 seconds behind Simoni and Cunego. That's good riding by CSC.

15:27 CEST   
There's a short descent before the next part of the Passo Erbe starts. The leaders are already on the next bit of the climb, and no Simoni and Cunego start it with their slender 20 second lead over Basso's group of 20-25 intact.

15:32 CEST    156km/62km to go
Lobato continues to drive the leading group, which is shedding riders now, and is down to 12. The riders in front: Paolo Tiralongo (Ceramica Panaria), Ivan Parra and José Rujano Guillen (Colombia - Selle Italia), Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), Wladimir Belli (Domina Vacanze), Joan Horrach Rippoll (Illes Balears), Giampaolo Caruso (Liberty Seguros), Andrea Noè (Liquigas-Bianchi), Tadej Valjavec (Phonak), Juan Manuel Garate, Ruben Lobato (Saunier) and Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile).

Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) has just been dropped. Also Bettini, Schaffrath and Bellotti are following at 50 seconds, while Simoni and Cunego have caught and dropped Joaquin Rodriguez and Jose Garrido. Basso's group is still just 15 seconds behind Gibo and Cunego, who might start to realise that it's not going to work.

Tiralongo is sitting on 166 of his max of 180, so he's working hard.

15:33 CEST   
Schleck and Zabriskie continue to lead Basso in the pink jersey, while ahead of them, Gibo and Cunego chat to each other.

Marco Milesi is sitting on 145 bpm/178 max, but he's nowhere near the front...

15:34 CEST    158km/60km to go
The 12 leaders are 3 km from the summit of the Passo delle Erbe. Just one more real climb to come after this one.

15:36 CEST   
Basso looks a bit more comfortable now, following his teammates. His group of 20 has most of the main favourites in it, save for Simoni and Cunego, who are side by side, 15 seconds up the road.

Atienza, Savoldelli, Sella, Van Huffel, and Di Luca are all in Basso's group.

15:39 CEST    160km/58km to go
Zabriskie takes over again for Basso, pegging Gibo and Cunego at 20 seconds, while the leading 12 get close to the summit of the Erbe. Hulk Rujano gets ready to pounce for more green points.

15:40 CEST   
Some pink-caped tifosi chase the lead group up the climb, as Lobato continues to hammer on the front. He's working for his teammate Garate today, who is the best placed in the lead group, although no longer virtual maglia rosa.

15:40 CEST   
Gibo and Cunego now catch and pass Aitor Gonzalez, who was dropped from the lead group earlier on the climb.

15:45 CEST    161km/57km to go
Lobato drives the lead group until very close to the summit, when Parra and Rujano pounce for the mountain points. They are chased by a largish tifoso in a superman outfit. That's a disturbing image.

Rujano gets ready to take the points on the climb, but is jumped by Garate! Oh well, the green jersey is pretty safe on Rujano's shoulders.

15:46 CEST    162km/56km to go
Next over were Parra, Valjavec, and Caucchioli.

Gibo and Cunego now have Aitor Gonzalez locked onto their wheels. They are 5'18 behind the 12 leaders, and just 14 seconds on the gruppo maglia rosa.

15:48 CEST   
Cunego and Gibo come back to Basso's group at last, about 1.5 km from the summit of the Erbe. It was an interesting move, but Basso stayed calm and used his teammates Schleck and Zabriskie to peg the two Lampres.

15:48 CEST   
Schaffrath, Bellotti and Bettini cross the summit 2'53 behind the leaders. Rasmussen should have been ahead of them too.

15:51 CEST    165km/53km to go
Basso's group crosses the summit of the Erbe in cool sunshine some 5'42 behind the lead group, which really rode that climb hard. They might not get them back before the finish now.

15:53 CEST   
Our man on the spot also spoke to Selle Italia's team director Gianni Savio (who he rode for all those years ago). We asked him about Jose Rujano: "He's a young rider with a big talent. I discovered him two years ago and he progressed very well. I think he may win the green jersey. This is our objective. I think in this Giro, our team is considered the most attacking, the most competitive. Every day, our philosophy is attack, attack, and then attack again."

You also have two Aussies in your team? "Yes we have Russell Van Hout and Trent Wilson. They are good riders, and they are good men. Russell made the longest single breakaway of this Giro, and Trent has had some good breakaways too."

You have had a few Aussies over the years... "Yes, I have been lucky to have many good Australians. But in the past, it began with one very, very, very, very strong rider. I don't remember his name, I think it was...John Trevorrow...a talent, a very good rider. But with a head a little bit crazy."

15:55 CEST    169km/49km to go
There's a bit of a break in the front group as Lobato, Caucchioli, Parra and Garate get a bit of a gap on the short descent before the very short climb of Passo Eores. But it comes back together again.

15:57 CEST   
Schleck is back in control of the Basso group, which is taking it easy before the final climb. Gibo goes back to the team car for a bidon.

15:59 CEST    173km/45km to go
Savoldelli goes back for a bidon now, together with Aitor Gonzalez. Schleck tows the Basso group of 20 plus with Basso and Di Luca in second and third wheels.

Sav opts for a coke instead. That'll help on the last climb.

The gap between the two groups is 5'35, with Bettini's trio halfway in between.

16:01 CEST   
Zabriskie now in front, taking a good line on the descent, right behind the lead moto, which is having trouble staying clear.

The leading group: Paolo Tiralongo (Ceramica Panaria), Ivan Parra and José Rujano Guillen (Colombia - Selle Italia), Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), Wladimir Belli (Domina Vacanze), Joan Horrach Rippoll (Illes Balears), Giampaolo Caruso (Liberty Seguros), Andrea Noè (Liquigas-Bianchi), Tadej Valjavec (Phonak), Juan Manuel Garate, Ruben Lobato (Saunier) and Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile).

16:03 CEST    176km/42km to go
Mark Renshaw told us this morning, "Today is all about survival. If you can survive today, you can start tomorrow and probably survive the tour. My next two days plans are about the same as 120 other guys here: Just form a gruppetto, get to the finish inside the time limit. I won't be going hard."

Brett Lancaster (Panaria) said the aim is to, "Make the time cut. I've got a bit of bronchitis. I'm struggling with my breathing a bit. So we'll see what happens, hang in there, should be able to make it. Tomorrow's a bloody hard day too."

16:05 CEST   
Garate does a turn, then Lobato comes up to help him as the road goes up again. Rasmussen is trying to rejoin the leaders - nice riding.

Tiralongo's heartrate is 150/180max, while Illiano (in the gruppetto or somewhere) is at 145/205max.

16:06 CEST   
The average speed after five hours: 31.8 km/h

16:08 CEST   
Basso's group has gained a few passengers, and is now up to 35 riders or so, travelling 5'33 behind the leading 12. Bettini's trio with Schaffrath and Bellotti is 2'38 behind the leaders.

16:08 CEST   
Fothen is one of the riders who has just rejoined the Basso group.

16:14 CEST    180km/38km to go
The Bettini/Bellotti/Schaffrath group aren't going to make it back to the leaders, as they're still at 2'48. So no Intergiro points today for Bettini.

Rasmussen is at 1'50 now, with Horrach, who has been dropped from the lead group.

16:19 CEST   
The Basso group, still led by Zabriskie and Schleck, flies through S. Andrea in Monte, still 5'30 behind the leading group, which is getting close to the foot of the descent.

16:23 CEST   
Bettini and Bellotti are wondering what to do. They've been stuck between a rock and a hard place for a while now. There's no way they're going to get the leaders back, but they might see how far they can get up the final climb.

16:24 CEST    185km/33km to go
The leaders are in Bressanone now, just before the Intergiro.

16:25 CEST    187km/31km to go
Lobato powers on the front but Belli nips him on the line to take the Intergiro. Looks like Caucchioli was third.

Zabriskie is still on the front of the Basso group. No changes there.

16:26 CEST    189km/29km to go
Schaffrath seems to have dropped off the back of Bettini and Bellotti. He's about 20 seconds back.

16:27 CEST   
Belli now consults with his team car. "Wadda we do boss?" "Go up this next hill and win." "Thanks boss."

16:28 CEST   
Schaffrath has now rejoined Bettini and Bellotti. And they're still in no-man's land.

16:31 CEST    191km/27km to go
The Basso group is now through the Intergiro in Bressanone. Order of passage was: Belli, Lobato, Garate, Noè, Caucchioli and Valjavec.

The leaders have 4'57, and are working on the flat before the final climb. They all look a bit knackered, surprisingly enough.

16:35 CEST    193km/25km to go
The three leading groups are now on the flat as they prepare for the assault on the final climb to St Ulrich.

The lead break is continuing to roll over, with Parra and Lobato doing short turns.

16:37 CEST    195km/23km to go
Bettini's chase group is now absorbed by the CSC led maglia rosa gruppo. Still 13 riders in front, but Rasmussen and Horrach will probably be absorbed soon too.

The leaders have 4'12 now. They are tired, as there are only two CSC riders chasing the leading 11.

16:41 CEST    197km/21km to go
The maglia rosa group is bearing down on the leaders, now 3'46 behind as Zabriskie continues to do an awesome amount of chasing work. There's a good 30 riders with Basso.

16:42 CEST    198km/20km to go
Zabriskie lifts the tempo as they ride along the river, and his pace is sufficient to string out the bunch completely.

16:44 CEST    199km/19km to go
In the front group, Lobato does another big turn, with Rujano following him. He wants to gain as much time for his team captain Garate as possible. But they're now just 3'25 ahead of Basso's group.

16:45 CEST    200km/18km to go
The leaders: Paolo Tiralongo (Ceramica Panaria), Ivan Parra and José Rujano Guillen (Colombia - Selle Italia), Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), Wladimir Belli (Domina Vacanze), Giampaolo Caruso (Liberty Seguros), Andrea Noè (Liquigas-Bianchi), Tadej Valjavec (Phonak), Juan Manuel Garate, Ruben Lobato (Saunier) and Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile).

Rasmussen and Horrach are 1'05 behind them. Nice work.

The main bunch is at 3'12, and closing.

16:47 CEST   
Savoldelli has a bite to eat in the main group. He'll need all he can get.

16:49 CEST    203km/15km to go
The leaders have 15 km to go and are preparing their assault on the last climb to Ortisei/St Ulrich.

Basso checks his rear brake. Could it be rubbing?

16:51 CEST    204.5km/13.5km to go
Bettini and Garrido chat to each other in the main group, but they probably won't last too long once the climb starts.

Now it's Schleck, the young Luxembourger, working hard for Basso.

The leaders go over the Ponte Gardena now. 13.5 km to go.

16:51 CEST   
The last climb averages 6.8% with a maximum of 12%. It measures 9.3 km.

16:52 CEST    205km/13km to go
Basso gets ready. His two teammates have brought the gap back to 3'14, as the leaders hit the climb with Rujano in front.

Tiralongo is on 154/180 hr, 86% of his max.

16:53 CEST   
Rujano signals for Caucchioli to come through, but the Italian ain't moving.

16:53 CEST    206km/12km to go
Garate now takes over from Rujano, trying to save as much of his lead as possible.

16:54 CEST   
The peloton is across the bridge now and starts the climb 3'12 behind the leaders.

Caucchioli is the first to accelerate in front. Garate and Rujano go with him.

16:55 CEST   
The rest come back, save for Lobato, who is dropped. No surprise, given the amount of work he's done today.

16:56 CEST    207km/11km to go
The Basso group starts to pick up the pace.

Now Rujano counters in front. Caucchioli tries to follow the tiny Venezuelan. He gets him. As does Garate. And the rest again.

Parra counters. This is starting to damage the break.

16:57 CEST   
Basso's group is now led by Schleck, then Basso, Savoldelli, Di Luca.

Parra now has a gap - 10 seconds or so.

16:59 CEST    208km/10km to go
Ivan Parra drives it up the climb with 10 km to go, and he's really going for it. His teammate Rujano can let the others chase.

The maglia rosa group is still 3'35 back.

17:00 CEST    209km/9km to go
Parra is really motoring, using the big ring and focusing intently on the road ahead. It's been over 200 km already, and he just wants to get to the top. And possibly win the stage.

Basso's group is doing nothing yet.

17:01 CEST    209.5km/8.5km to go
Schleck is looking a bit knackered as he tows Basso and the rest of the group. The attacks should start soon if they want to test Basso.

Parra has nine seconds on Garate, Caucchioli, Rujano and Valjavec. The rest are gone.

17:03 CEST    210km/8km to go
Patxi Vila takes over in the peloton now, trying to lift the pace.

Parra has 8 km to go and the four behind him are getting a bit closer.

17:03 CEST   
Rasmussen has been caught by the Basso group.

17:04 CEST   
Vila is really lifting the tempo in the Basso group, with Ardila and Simoni in second and third wheel. Basso is a fair way back again, in the company of Savoldelli.

Schleck has dropped off.

17:05 CEST    211km/7km to go
Vila, Ardila, Simoni, Cunego, Sella, Gonchar and Basso are now at the head of the chase group.

Lobato has been caught by that group.

But in front, it's still Ivan Parra with a small gap as he climbs a steeper section. Caucchioli, Garate and Rujano are chasing him, but Valjavec is dropped. Caucchioli hammers. Rujano suffers.

17:07 CEST    211.5km/6.5km to go
Garate now does a turn but Parra is not coming back.

Basso's group is at 3'50! Looks like one of these four in front will win today.

17:08 CEST   
The peloton is now at 4'32! Garate is about 2'20 away from pink, that means...

17:09 CEST    212km/6km to go
The climb gets steeper now as Parra keeps his gap over Caucchioli, Rujano and Garate. He has 6 km to go.

17:09 CEST   
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) attacks the gruppo maglia rosa, and is chased by an Illes Balears rider. Now Cunego and Simoni lift the pace and Simoni attacks!

17:10 CEST   
Basso is dropped! Savoldelli can hold Simoni though. Basso is in big problems. He's next to Cunego and the others go past him. Gibo and Savoldelli have a gap.

17:12 CEST   
Cunego and Basso are last in the gruppo maglia rosa. That's not good for Basso. Cunego attacks in pursuit.

Ahead, Savoldelli does turn and he and Simoni drop Sanchez. Savoldelli now drops Simoni!!

17:13 CEST    214km/4km to go
Basso is now with Ardila, Cioni and Fothen(?). But it looks like Savoldelli is going to be the new maglia rosa. He has rid himself of Simoni.

Parra has 4 km to go, still leading in the stage.

17:15 CEST    215km/3km to go
Basso is now 38 seconds behind Savoldelli. Simoni is about 15 seconds behind Savoldelli.

Parra is solo as he gets to the summit of the climb. Now a short descent before the finish. Rujano, Garate and Caucchioli cross for second through fourth at 11 seconds. It's not over yet.

17:16 CEST   
Di Luca is now closing in on Simoni, who is chasing Il Falco.

17:16 CEST   
Savoldelli is the best GC rider today, but the Giro ain't over yet.

In front, it's still Parra with his 10 second gap over the chasers.

17:17 CEST   
Savoldelli goes over the summit of the climb more than 3'00 behind Parra. He catches Tiralongo.

17:18 CEST    217km/1km to go
Savoldelli is finally at the summit, 3'55 is the gap to Parra, who is near the finish. Di Luca and Simoni are together, crossing at 4'18.

17:19 CEST   
Parra now has 1500m to go, and will stay away it looks like.

17:19 CEST   
Basso crosses the summit at around 5'00 with Fothen for company.

17:20 CEST   
Ivan Parra is nearly home now - 700m to go.

17:21 CEST    218km/0km to go
And it's Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) who wins this monstrous stage in St Ulrich! Great ride by the Colombian.

17:22 CEST   
Garate takes second at 22 seconds ahead of Rujano, then Caucchioli at 26 seconds.

17:23 CEST   
Valjavec crosses alone for 5th place, very tired, 1'45 behind. Savoldelli is in the last kilometre, and Di Luca and Simoni are getting close to him. Basso is about a minute behind.

17:25 CEST   
Basso does a big turn with Sanchez, Atienza and Fothen, but it's Savoldelli who'll take pink.

17:27 CEST   
Savoldelli crosses at 4'00, then Simoni and Di Luca at 4'06, then another group, then finally Basso in about 20th place at 5'06. The jersey is gone.

17:32 CEST   
Basso keeps second on GC at 50 seconds, just ahead of Di Luca. Simoni is still well placed in fourth at 2'16, but Savoldelli is the new leader.

And yes, Ivan Parra is Fabio's brother.

Thanks again for following the 13th stage with us. Back again tomorrow for Stage 14, and the Stelvio...

Results

Provisional
1 Ivan Parra (Col) Selle Italia-Colombia                        6.31.35
2 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir                    0.23
3 Jose' Rujano Guillen (Ven) Selle Italia-Colombia              
4 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Credit Agricole                          0.27
5 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Phonak Hearing Systems                      1.45
6 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile Team                             2.55
7 Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Liberty Seguros-Wurth Team                3.03
8 Wladimir Belli (Ita) Domina Vacanze                              3.48
9 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel-Pro Cycling Team        4.00
10 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita                            4.06
11 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi                           

General classification after stage 13

1 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel-Pro Cycling Team    60.31.12
2 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC                                        0.50
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi                            0.53
4 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita                             2.16
5 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir                    2.39
6 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Credit Agricole                          3.25
7 Serguei Gonchar (Ukr) Domina Vacanze                              
8 Jose' Rujano Guillen (Ven) Selle Italia-Colombia             
9 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Fassa Bortolo                             4.54
10 Dario David Cioni (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi 

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