Quintana wins the Giro on the Cima Grappa

Baring some unforeseen disaster, the 2014 Giro d'Italia as a general classification battle, is over. Nairo Quintana has won and has done so by picking up two stage victories in superb fashion. The first a few days ago a bold attack shrouded in controversy in which he stripped minutes out of most of his rivals, the second a solo charge up the Cima Grappa in today's 26.8km individual mountain time-trial to destroy all around him except Fabio Aru who in a superb ride himself managed to limit his loss to Quintana to 17 seconds.

Indeed, today's result has put to bed any lingering debate over that stage 16 attack on the descent of the Stelvio and whether it was or was not neutralized. The 90 seconds some believe he gained because of it means little when you consider he now leads Rigoberto Uran in second place by 3 minutes, 7 seconds with a single mountain stage still to go.

Quintana put 1 minute, 26 seconds into Uran on today's stage, while Pierre Rolland, a man who has lit up the mountain stages of this Giro, lost just under 2 minutes. Domenico Pozzovivo, who looked to be on a big day when he caught his 3 minute man, Ryder Hesjedal, still lost 2-24 to Quintana while Rafal Majka lost 3-28, Evans 4-26 and Hesjedal 5-39. If there was any doubt as to who the best climber is in this years Giro, then the race of truth up the side of this mountain, ended the debate.

The result shook up the top 10 overall and the battle for the final podium spot has turned into a battle for where exactly Uran and Aru will stand in relation to Quintana on that podium thanks to Aru's spectacular performance to finish just 17 seconds back of Quintana.

Quintana's effort wasn't surprising given what we know of his talent, but the 23 year old Aru has been one of the big break through riders of this Giro, winning stage 15 and taking a few seconds out of Quintana and Uran yesterday, but he confirmed all that today.

For a while it looked as though he might even beat Quintana. He was only 8 seconds back of him at the second time check after 19.3km having been further behind near the bottom of the climb. The first 7.5km was on the flat and many riders started on time-trial bikes electing to change bikes for the mountain, Quintana and Uran included. Uran led Quintana by 15 seconds going onto the mountain, but that deficit was quickly overturned halfway up when he dropped to 36 seconds behind. Evans came onto the climb ahead of Quintana, but also faded away, while Pierre Rolland, nowhere to be seen on the flat section made a lot up on the climb finishing fourth by the top.

Starting in reverse order of their GC standings, Aru naturally came up to the line before Quintana and when he set the fastest time, 2 minutes, 8 seconds up on Domenico Pozzovivo, it looked as though we'd seen the winning time. But no longer were we spitting out superlatives when Quintana came in and bettered it still.

Aru's effort pushed him into the top three overall and tomorrow we can look forward to seeing if he has anything left in his legs to overhaul the 41 seconds he trails Uran by. As for everyone else, it's a stage win at best. Pierre Rolland will doubtlessly be going for that, as perhaps will Evans and Hesjedal, but don't count out Quintana who with two stage wins in the bank and looking stronger and stronger by the day, may want to go out in style and put on a show for the fans.

Result:

1. Nairo Quintana (MOV) in 1-05-37

2. Fabio Aru (AST) + 17sec

3. Rigoberto Uran (OPQ) + 1-26

4. Pierre Rolland (EUC) + 1-57

5. Domenico Pozzovivo (ALM) + 2-24

6. Franco Pellizotti (AND) + 3-22


Overall:

1. Nairo Quintana (MOV) in 79-03-45

2. Rigoberto Uran (OPQ) + 3-07

3. Fabio Aru (AST) + 3-48

4. Pierre Rolland (EUC) + 5-26

5. Domenico Pozzovivo (ALM) + 6-16

6. Rafal Majka (TCS) + 6-59

7. Cadel Evans (BMC) + 9-25

8. Wilco Kelderman (BEL) + 9-29

9. Ryder Hesjedal (GRS) + 10-11

10. Robert Kiserlovski (TFR) + 13-59