Although Stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia took until the final 30km or so to really take off, take off it did. The climb to the summit finish on the infernal Blockhaus saw much-touted GC names dropping off the back to the consternation of the commentators, the maglia rosa fighting with every fibre of his being to save pink for another day, and a surprise sprint to the finish line. The GC changed so much, only one rider kept his place from yesterday.
