One more touch of glory for Australia and Mick Rogers

This Giro started out Australian in the first week, turned very Colombian in the middle and then today, just as we're getting ready to see it finish, went back the way of Australia. Fortunately for Colombia it is still their name written all over the general classification, but Mick Rogers, who already had one stage win in this years Giro to his name, took another and did so again solo to the top of the famous Zoncolan.

An unfortunate mix up with a fan by Francesco Bongiorno just as Rogers was accelerating through the enormous crowds packing the climb from buttom to summit, gave the Aussie the gap he needed to push on to glory. When it became apparent to Bongiorno that his dream victory was alluding him, the Italian's energy dropped out of him and allowed Franco Pellizotti, who he and Rodgers had previously dropped, back onto him and ahead for second place. The demoralised Bongiorno came home 49 seconds behind Rogers.

Those three were the leading three from what was left of a large group that had gone up the road earlier in the day and had stayed clear building a large lead over an uninterested peloton. For the favorites in GC none of those ahead mattered and so the stage was reduced to two races within one. That one won by Rogers and the one between the favorites looking to take a little time out of one another. For Nairo Quintana the lead was all but secure -- he could have almost walked the Zoncolan and retained his pink jersey -- but the battle for who stood in second and third below him on the final podium was still very much up for grabs.

Coming in it was Rigoberto Uran who held second, 41 seconds up on Fabio Aru who was growing stronger as this race went on. His phenomenal mountain time-trial the day before had thrust him suddenly into podium contention and now he had designs on second overall. But tired legs prevailed and when Uran attacked only Quintana could go with him. The pair crossed the line 16 seconds up on Aru and Uran's second place was secure. So too was Aru's third for Pierre Rolland and Domenico Pozzovivo lost a handful of seconds and Rafal Majka only gained a few seconds on him.

Tomorrow is the traditional final day processional stage ... this year into Trieste and is sure to finish in a bunch gallop. Baring a disaster such as a crash, Quintana will amble over the line and win his first every grand tour. His first, but certainly not his last.

Result:

1. Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo) in 4-41-55

2. Franco Pellizotti (Androni) + 38 sec

3. Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani) + 49 sec

4. Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) + 1-35

5. Brent Bookwalter (BMC) + 1-37

6. Robinson Chalapud (Colombia) + 1-46

Overall:

1. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) in 83-50-25

2. Rigoberto Uran (OPQS) + 3-07

3. Fabio Aru (Astana) + 4-04

4. Pierre Rolland (Europcar) + 5-46

5. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) + 6-41

6. Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) + 7-13