Great races happen on the sterrato, I’ve decided, and today was no exception. As the gravelled climb of the Alpe di Poti took its toll, Etixx-QuickStep’s Gianluca Brambilla went off on a solo ride so strong, not only did he win the stage but he took enough time to become the third man to wear the maglia rosa. Ag2r’s Matteo Montaguti and Cannondale’s Moreno Moser completed the all-Italian podium.
