Giro d'Italia: Nairo Quintana wins dramatic stage nine
Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates involved in nasty crash
Monday 15 May 2017 11:51, UK
Colombia's Nairo Quintana claimed the race leader's pink jersey after winning a dramatic stage nine at the Giro d'Italia.
But British riders Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates both crashed on an action-packed day, virtually ending their hopes of overall victory.
Movistar's Quintana came over the finish line 23 seconds ahead of Frenchman Thibaut Pinot and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, to wrest the race lead from Luxembourg's Bob Jungels.
Quick Step rider Jungels started the 149km stage from Montenero di Bisaccia to Blockhaus with a 10-second lead on Quintana but was one of several contenders to see their hopes dashed, as he was left behind when Quintana's Movistar team set a strong pace during the early stages of the last climb.
The day's big crash occurred at the foot of the days' final ascent and was caused by a police motorbike which had stopped by the side of the road.
Dutchman Wilco Kelderman crashed into it, and several riders fell off their bikes behind him, including Team Sky's Thomas, second overall at the start of the day, his team mate Mikel Landa, and Yates (Orica-Scott), who began the day third.
The pair were left behind as the leaders began the final climb up the Blockhaus and Thomas, who needed a couple of minutes to get back on his bike, appeared to be suffering from a shoulder injury.
Quintana, who won the 2014 Giro, went on to ride away from his main rivals up the final climb and finished nicely clear of Pinot, who edged out Dumoulin in a sprint for second.
Bauke Mollema crossed fourth and two-time Giro champion Vincenzo Nibali came fifth.
In the overall standings, Quintana leads Pinot by 28 seconds and Dumoulin by 30 seconds, with Mollema fourth, 51 seconds behind, and Nibali fifth, 1:10 back.
Yates is now 16th overall, 4:49 behind, while Thomas is a place further adrift, 5:14 in arrears, as both saw their hopes end.
Asked about the crash, an unhappy Thomas said: "It's ridiculous, that shouldn't happen. We were all racing for the bottom of the climb.
"Next thing I know someone in front of me hits the motorbike, we go down. My shoulder popped out as well.
"I felt good, then I crashed. That was it. Race over. It's really disappointing.
"I'm a bit angry at the minute."
Quintana was in better spirits and said: "I showed that I'm happy with my legs and the legs of my teammates. The whole team was strong and I was strong.
"There's still a long way to go in the Giro, we'll get to know in the coming days if the 30-second lead I have over Tom Dumoulin is much or little, but I feel good. That's most important for now."
Quintana dedicated his victory to 2011 Giro champion Michele Scarponi, who died after a collision with a van while training last month.
