Giro Stage 15: Visconti Hangs On

Giovanni Visconti gave his Movistar team a massive boost with a win in stage 15 on the Col du Galibier, while overall leader Vincenzo Nibali remained calm and in charge of this Giro d'Italia. Amid snowbanks and snowflakes, the peloton climbed to the Granges des Galibier with numerous attacks by the top climbers outside the top five of the general classification, but among the leaders of the race it was a day when they all stayed on their respective limits and limited attacks amongst each other.

Visconti survived alone from a long day on the attack, and while various attacks formed on the Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier, the only one which survived was a late grouping led by Carlos Betancur and Przemyslaw Niemiec, which finished 40 seconds behind Visconti and 30" ahead of the gruppo maglia rosa.

For Visconti the win is his first stage triumph in the Giro d'Italia. The multiple Italian Champion and winner of a handful of one-day races had worn the maglia rosa for a week in 2008, but before today had never taken a Giro stage win or a major mountain victory in any grand tour. For Movistar, there had been little to cheer prior to today, but this grand victory on the famous slopes of the Tour de France gives them a day to enjoy. For everyone else, the day simply ended, cold and wet, and leaving everyone grateful for tomorrow's rest day.

1. Giovanni Visconti, Movistar
2. Carlos Betancur, AG2R, at ??
3. Przemyslaw Niemiec, s.t.