Snow nearly stopped the high point in the Giro today with the Passo Stelvio swathed in the white stuff. Road was kept clear so the unfortunate pros had to ride out the full distance.
Amazingly Nairo Quintana attacked down hill, and soon got good distance on his other GC contenders. On the final slope others also started to take chunks, as Quintana rode himself into the overall lead.
Nairo wins the stage and takes the pink jersey. He's 4min 11 sec ahead of Rigoberto on the stage so will be a minute and a half ahead in the GC. Cadel Evans was dropped towards the end and looses a further 36sec on just about everyone.
Pierre Rolland, who started 4min 47sec down on Uran, and just 2 min down on Nairo has gained time. He's now no.4 and just 3min 26sec off the lead.
Big gains for Hesjedal - now in the top 10 at no. 9 with 4min 16sec to the lead. He is just about the last contender as 10th place is held by Kiserlovski at 8mins+
Italian events and European climbs