Ultimately, the record books will show an emphatic victory by one of cycling’s most promising riders but the story of stage 16 of the 2014 Giro d’Italia was far more than that.
All four seasons were experienced in one day, with rain and snow on the Gavia and Stelvio and bright sunshine bathing the final climb of the Val Martello in a warm glow.
And after gaining time on his rivals on the dangerous descent of the Stelvio – despite the belief by some teams that it was to be neutralised – Nairo Quintana delivered a climbing masterclass on Val Martello to take the race lead.
Relive the epic stage in this full-screen gallery of Stefano Sirotti’s photos.
