US sprinter Tyler Farrar paired up with Garmin-Transitions teammate Julian Dean to win Stage 10 at the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday.
It was the Wenatchee, Washington, cyclist's second stage win at this year's Giro and his fourth so far this year. He currently holds the points leader's red jersey.
The overall leaders remained unchanged, with Alexandre Vinokourov holding onto first place, 1:12 ahead of Cadel Evans.
Breakaway
The Garmin-Transition team shared time at the front of the peloton during the 143-mile race from Avellino to Bitonto to ensure that a successful breakaway didn't spoil what was expected to be a sprint finish. The three cyclists who led most of the bike race were reeled in about 10 miles from the finish.
HTC-Columbia didn't seem able to keep the lead-out train going for sprinters Andre Greipel or Matthew Goss. QuickStep, Sky and Garmin battled for the front position in the last mile through the twisty, narrow streets of Bitonto.
Matteo Tossato of QuickStep attacked as they neared the finish, but Garmin's Dean took over with Farrar on his wheel. When Farrar came around for the final sprint, Italy's Fabio Sabatini of Liquigas tried pass but couldn't. Farrar won handily, followed by Sabatini and Dean.
Credits Dean
Farrar is quoted at CyclingNews touting New Zealand's Dean after the race:
“Such a slight uphill finish was perfect for me; it's not me but Julian Dean who did something extraordinary. I was going to let him win but I saw Sabatini who was coming behind me and I had to keep the win in the team.”
Farrar also won the Grote Scheldeprijs and a stage at Three Days of de Panne earlier this year. He just missed winning Stage 9 on Monday, taking a 3rd place finish.
Wednesday's Stage 11 is a 162-mile race with medium mountains from Lucera to L'Aquila. The uphill finish should be a good test of stamina at the end of the long stage.
Top 10 after Stage 10
1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz, Astana )
2 Cadel Evans (Aus, BMC Racing Team) – 1:12 behind
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita, Liquigas-Doimo) – 1:33
4. Ivan Basso (Ita. Liquigas-Doimo) – 1:51
5 Marco Pinotti (Ita, Team HTC – Columbia) – 2:17
6 Richie Porte (Aus, Team Saxo Bank) – 2:26
7 Vladimir Karpets (Rus, Team Katusha) – 2:34
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita, Acqua & Sapone) – 2:47
9 Damiano Cunego (Ita, Lampre-Farnese Vini) – 3:08
10 Michele Scarponi (Ita, Androni Giocattoli) – 3:09
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