Giro Stage 13: Uran Top Finisher, Crash Shakes up GC

Etixx - Quick-Step rider Rigoberto Uran gained 17" of time in the overall classification on Friday, and remains in 6th overall, down 2 minutes and two seconds. The Colombian rider reduced the gap in the GC after a crash just outside 3km to go in 147km Giro d'Italia Stage 13, from Montecchio Maggiore to Lido di Jesolo. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) was caught in the crash, but riders such as Fabio Aru (Astana) and Uran were not. Aru now wears the maglia rosa with a 19" advantage on Contador.

Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) won the stage out of what was left of the group due to the crash. Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) was 2nd, and Elia Viviani (Team Sky) finished 3rd. Uran crossed in 26th.

The race was expected to end in a bunch sprint on a flat parcours. However, the peloton was nervous in the final kilometers due to very wet conditions from the rain. The race came back together with 17.5km to go as a three-rider original breakaway was caught.

Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to the crucial ITT on Saturday. The 59.4km time trial from Treviso to Valdobbiadene will likely be a major point for the general classification. Rigoberto Uran aims to do well in order to defend his position in the overall.

"Today was a short, but nervous stage with a lot of rain, so I had big help from my teammates to always stage in good position," Uran said. "Boonen and the others knew how I had to stay in a flat and chaotic stage like this. The finale was slippery and therefore a bit dangerous, especially with a few roundabouts. So I followed the wheels of my teammates and avoided bad luck, crossing the line in good position. As for tomorrow there is a time trial which is a crucial stage for me, but also the other riders. We will do our best to try to get a good result."

Earlier in the season Uran performed reconnaissance along with teammate Gianluca Brambilla. The recon summary, including quotes from Uran, can be found here.

"They also predicted rain tomorrow, so it will be even harder," Uran said. It's a huge effort and of course it is an important stage for me, as well as the other GC contenders. I want to honor my Colombian Champion jersey."

Uran is still recovering from a crash he suffered earlier this week.

"My neck and shoulder still hurt, but fortunately I have our physios who will help me a lot, and will work on the muscles tonight," Uran said. "They have been doing a great job for me. I will be at the start tomorrow in the best condition possible."