Race leader

Rigoberto Uran signed for Omega Pharma-Quickstep from Team Sky in the winter with the aim of competing for Grand Tour honours and bettering his Giro d’Italia second place from last year.

And after the third and final rest day of the Giro d’Italia, it’s a case of so far, so good for the Colombian. Uran has been in a strong position from the off, with Omega Pharma-Quickstep’s second place finish in the opening team time trial, five seconds behind winners Orica-GreenEDGE, ensuring he held the upper hand on his rivals. While the 27-year-old lost time on the crash-marred stage six, he made up for that in stunning fashion with victory in the stage 12 individual time trial, and so now boasts a healthy overall lead.

Uran’s time trial effort, which saw him obliterate his rivals with a perfectly-paced ride in testing conditions, was phenomenal, and with his climbing ability undoubted – he has already earned more time on Evans on the Montecampione and won a mountain stage atop Altopiano del Montasio last year – he is certainly in a commanding position ahead of the final seven days, with a maiden Grand Tour victory within his grasp.