Azanza makes race of it in Cherasco

Jorge Azanza made a rare, but eventually futile, move off the front on Friday's 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia as Euskaltel continue to hunt their first win in the race.

The 254 kilometres between Busseto and Cherasco was a fairly straightforward stage as far as the general classification was concerned, meaning there was ample opportunity for some of the domestiques to get their time in the sun.

Jorge Azanza, who enjoyed a brilliant first week in Italy, showed his form is still very much there as he broke off the front of the pack with some 12 clicks to go alongside a host of strong roleurs. Azanza drove the pace at the head of the group for an impressive amount of time, but the sprinters got their way as the escapees were brought to a halt well in time for the dash for the line.

Mark Cavendish did as he pleased and racked up yet another triumph. Samuel Sánchez had no trouble in staying with the first main group and now sits 17th overall.

Results:

• (1, Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), 6:09:55)
• 56, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 58, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 70, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 116, Robert Vrecer, 3:47
• 138, Ricardo Mestre, 16:32
• 140, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 141, Ioannis Tamouridis, s.t.
• 156, Miguel Mínguez, s.t.

Photo: Euskaltel Euskadi