13 May 2012

Tiralongo makes late lunge for mountain victory in Italy

9:37 am on 13 May 2012

A last-minute lunge for the line at the Rocca di Cambio summit finish earned Italian climber Paolo Tiralongo a narrow victory over compatriot Michele Scarponi on the seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia.

Luxembourg's Frank Schleck was third and Ryder Hesjedal, finishing fifth, became the first Canadian to wear the overall leader's pink jersey after overnight leader Adriano Malori of Italy was dropped with 15 kilometres to go.

Tiralongo is second overall, 15 seconds back and Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez third.

Sunday's 229-km stage through the mountains of southern Italy from Sulmona to Lago Laceno should provide more answers about the overall contenders.

The Giro d'Italia finishes in Milan on May 27.