Colombian cyclist Rigoberto Uran, acting team leader of Sky, climbed to second place in the general classification of the Giro d’Italia following an excellent performance in a harsh 20th stage.
Urab, accompanied by fellow-Colombians Fabio Duarte and Carlos Betancur, were the only ones able to follow leader Vincenzo Nibali, and finished 19 seconds after the pink jersey of Vincenzo Nibali despite heavy snow that forced the organization to cancel Friday’s 19th stage.
In the final sprint leading up to the finish line, Duarte beat Uran and Betancur, finishing second at 17 seconds of the stage winner and classification leader.
Cadel Evans, who was ahead of Uran in the general classification until today, slipped to third place after failing to keep up with his Italian and Colombian competitors in the mountainous stage from Silandro to Tre Cime de Lavaredo.
Uran will begin Sunday’s last stage 4:43 behind Nibali and 1:09 ahead of Evans.
The Colombian has outperformed expectations in this year’s Giro; He won the 10th stage and outperformed his team leader and Toyr de France winner Bradley Wiggins who later was force to step down over a lung infection.
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Uran has widely been considered Colombia’s best rider after his 2010 silver medal at the London Olympics.
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