The peloton splintered with every passing kilometer of the 186km Stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia, from Falzes Pfalzen to Cortina d'Ampezzo. The brutal course, which consisted of four categorized climbs and challenging, technical descents, shattered the field and left just a handful of riders left in contention for the stage — and also distinguished a select group as GC contenders.
Liquigas-Cannondale kept the pace high enough on the Category 2 Forcella Staulanza that the peloton was reduced to less than 30 riders by the time they reached the summit, and the field only thinned out from there. Dario Cataldo of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team held on while he could, but even he suffered as the peloton ascended the final climb, the Category 1 Passo Giau. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha Team), Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale), Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda), Rigoberto Uran (Sky Procycling), Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago CSF Bardiani) were left to battle it out for the sprint finish after breaking apart on the descent in the final kilometers, before coming back together.
Rodriguez, wearer of the Maglia Rosa, overtook Basso on the sprint for the stage victory, and Hesjedal was 3rd. Cataldo crossed the line 19th, 2'47" back. He is now 14th overall, 4'59" back.
