With just two days before the final finish, Colombia rider Esteban Chaves took the lead in the general classification of the Giro d’Italia, one of the most prestigious cycling tours in the world.
Chaves started Friday’s race three minutes behind Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk.
However, Kruijswijk fell, losing 4’05” to his direct opponent and dropping to third place in the general classification.
Chaves, who nearly died in a bicycle accident just three years ago, continued the race and was able to finish 53 second after stage winner Vincenzo Nibali from Italy.
Colombia’s Esteban Chaves shines in Giro 3 years after he would ‘never ride a bike again’
In Saturday’s penultimate stage, Chaves will have to fiercely defend his 51-second lead over Nibali who, like Chaves, has been performing outstandingly throughout the Giro and is now second in the general classification.
The defense of his pink jersey will be far from easy for Colombia’s latest cycling hero as the race from Guillestre to Sant’Anna Di Vinadio is considered the Queen’s Stage as the riders will face four climbs and three descents straight through the Italian alps.
