Euskaltel-Euskadi's Igor Anton conquered the Monte Zoncalon in stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia today, riding away from race leader Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) on the grueling 10 kilometer mountain top finish. Contador, who refused to pull his compatriot back into the fold, started attacking Nibali in the final kilometer, but only managed to take another 6 seconds on the Italian because of Nibali's gutsy ride.
Before the first pedal was turned on stage 14, controversy took center stage with race organizers forced to take the Monte Cristos climb out of the original 210 kilometer route. The inclusion of the ascent would have prohibited follow cars from close to 40 kilometers away from the finish. The descent of the climb had also been questioned for safety reasons. The dirt roads and steep drop offs saw organizers erect safety nets along dangerous sections of the road but, following the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt in the race the previous week, the riders' well being was top of mind.
The now shortened 186 kilometer stage started with a flurry of attacks, but it wasn't until the 30 kilometer mark that a group of three were able to break free. The escape included Gianluca Brambilla (Colnago-CSF Inox), Bram Tankink (Rabobank) and Matteo Rabottini (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli). By the time the peloton completed the first three climbs of the day, the trio's lead was approaching 10 minutes with just over 70 kilometers to race. Race leader Contador's Saxo Bank-Sungard team was comfortably in control of the peloton behind. Close to 10 kilometers later the Magia Rosa took a trip back to the caravan to change his bike, likely to change his gearing. Ahead, the break continued to hold onto their advantage.
With 47 kilometers remaining it was the Liqugas-Cannondale team on the front, with the Italian team likely responding to criticism of their leader Vincenzo Nibali lack of attacking from the Italian media. Their stint at the front didn't last long, with the Saxo Bank-Sungard squad once again taking over the reins. At the 40 kilometer mark the break had begun to leak serious time, with their advantage now hovering near the 7 minute mark and continuing to fall, while the Liqugas-Cannondale again assumed control of the race with an infernal pace. The Italian team was likely reacting to the organization's decision to shorten the course by taking out the last minute addition of a category two climb.
At the base of the Monte Zoncalon the leading trio had 3 minutes and 50 seconds, and were continuing to drive hard, hopeful that they could capitalize on the last minute change to a shortened route. Rabottini was the first to drop from the escape, while behind Liquigas-Cannondale continued to keep the pressure on with Agnoli Valerio, Nibali's final lieutenant. With 7.5 kilometers to race it was Brambilla alone at the front tapping out a strong cadence with just 3 minutes and 15 seconds in hand. The race favorites all made their way to the front of the Maglia Rosa group, with Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) the first to attack eliciting no reaction behind.
The lone leader continued to labor on the steep slopes of the Zoncalon, while Igor Anton was next to jump the favorite's group with Contador following suit. Behind Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) was the only one that had the legs to close the gap to the Maglia Rosa, with Nibali struggling to get on terms. Yesterday's winner Jose Rujano and Denis Menchov (Geox-TMC) also work having a hard time staying within reach. Up front, Tankink was able to overtake the Italian, while the chase with the race leader grew to four as they picked up Rodriguez. Anton continued to force the pace of the chase, with Rodriguez unable to hang onto the trio.
The Euskaltel-Euskadi kept plugging away with Scarponi and the Maglia Rosa on his wheel. He finally managed to get some daylight on the two race favorites, with the Spaniard making light work of overtaking Rabottini and Brambilla after their day-long effort, while Tankink remained up front, 40 seconds to the good. Contador left the work to Scarponi with 5 kilometers remaining to the top.
Nibali continued to dangle behind the duo of favorites, with them just barely out of reach, while Anton assumed the head of the race from the Rabobank rider. The Liquigas-Canondale leader's persistance finally paid off, with him making the junction to Contador and immediately going on the attack. He forced some separation, but the race leader rode back to him as Scarponi began to yo-yo off the back and then cracked. The Italian continued to push on hoping, hoping for the Spaniard to show a sign of weakness. The two spoke as they headed toward the summit, but things remained status quo, with Contador unwilling to contribute to the chase of his compatriot and friend.
With no cars allowed on the climb, the scene included a flotilla of motorcycles surrounding the race leaders, each with a team mechanic on the back with spare bikes slung over their shoulder. Some of the motorbikes had their own set of issues on the difficult climb, with at least one ending up broken down billowing a massive cloud of smoke over the slopes of the mountain. At the 2 kilometer mark Anton continued to hang onto his slight 10 second advantage, but then began to really force the pace to fend off any last minute efforts. His effort was successful, and he was able to gain another 35 seconds on the chase. As the pair approached the 1 kilometer mark, Contador stood on his pedals and rode away from the Italian. Nibali continued to work hard to stay in contact, determined not to be outclassed by the Maglia Rosa. Contador attacked again as Anton crossed the line for the win, but Nibali refused to give in and limited his losses to just 6 seconds so he could return to fight another day. Scarponi was next to cross the line 31 seconds later, followed by Menchov who lost 41 seconds to Contador. Sixth place saw another strong ride from Frenchman John Gadre (AG2r La Mondiale).