The early favorites of the Giro d'Italia, such as Saturday's Stage 14 winner Vincenzo Nibali (at left), started nibbling away at the huge leads gained by members of a breakaway earlier in the week.
Nibali and Ivan Basso (both of Liquigas), Cadel Evans (BMC), and Michele Scarponi (Androni) all cut at least a minute-and-a-half off their deficits on the 127-mile race from Ferrara to Asolo. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) and Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) finished closely behind them.
All but Scarponi and Basso are back into the top 10, but they still have huge time gaps to make up.
Giro leader Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) fell off the pace on the mid-stage climb over Monte Grappa and dropped to second overall, 39 seconds behind new leader David Arroyo of Caisse d'Epargne.
Expect more upheaval in the overall standings after Sunday's Stage 15, a 138-mile bike race from Mestre to Zoncolan. The peloton will endure three mountains before tackling the six-mile climb to Zoncolan at an average slope of 11.5%.
Giro broadcast begins at 9 a.m. (ET) Sunday on the Universal Sports network.
Top 10 after Stage 14
1. David Arroyo, Caisse d'Epargne
2. Richie Porte, Saxo Bank – 39 seconds behind
3. Xavier Tondo, Cervelo – 2:12
4. Robert Kiserlovski, Liquigas – 2:35
5. Linus Gerdemann, Milram – 3:52
6. Carlos Sastre, Cervelo – 5:27
7. Bradley Wiggins, Sky – 6:32
8. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas – 6:51
9. Alexandre Vinokourov, Astana – 7:15
10. Cadel Evans, BMC – 7:26
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