Without doubt one of the most enthralling – and certainly among the most controversial – Giro stages in recent history unfolded on stage 16.

The historic stage – which featured both the Passo Gavia and the Stelvio on the same day for the first time – was beset by treacherous weather conditions – a blizzard hitting the peaks of the two famous climbs.

 

So bad was it, that Nairo Quintana – according to Movistar team-mate Gorka Izaguirre – had contemplated climbing off the bike and giving up.

But, the rest – as they say – is history. Confusion reigned as reports – misinterpreted as it turned out – flew around suggesting the descent of the Stelvio would be neutralised. Some riders slowed accordingly, but Quintana was not among them.

Nor was Dario Cataldo (Team Sky), whose spirited solo attack on the ascent earned him the Cima Coppi prize, while Pierre Rolland (Europcar) and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) were joined by Quintana further back.

That group earned a sizable – though not insurmountable – advantage over the maglia rosa group on the descent. But a climbing masterclass from Quintana – setting the pace up Val Martello with such ease, as his two companions clung desperately to his back wheel – ensued.

 

Quintana barely broke stride as he glided up to the summit finish, his victory enough to overhaul a big overall deficit and then some, as he earned a commanding overall lead.