Richard Carapaz took a huge step towards winning the Giro d’Italia after preserving his overall lead in Saturday’s penultimate stage in the Dolomites.
The Ecuadorian comfortably held off two-time champion Vincenzo Nibali in the 194-km ride from Feltre as the 20th stage was won by Spaniard Pello Bilbao.
Carapaz, who rides for Movistar, remains 1 minute 54 seconds in front of Nibali ahead of the final time trial in Verona on Sunday.
Mikel Landa leapfrogged Primoz Roglic into third, 2:53 behind Carapaz, after finishing second in a sprint with Bilbao at the end of the 194-kilometer (121-mile) leg from Feltre to Croce d’Aune-Monte Avena, which had five long, categorised climbs in the Dolomites.
Giulio Ciccone was third, two seconds behind the front two.
It was a chaotic ride throughout with Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez, who holds the white jersey for the best U25 rider, lashing out at a fan after tangling with him in the final few kilometres.
The Astana rider crossed the line 18th, 1:49 off the pace and could face an exclusion from the race following his actions.
Another incident with a fan also cost Roglic – the Slovenian was pushed by a spectator and didn’t attempt to push him away and so was penalised 10 seconds by the race jury.
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