Polanc conquers fourth stage

SLOVENIAN Jan Polanc conquered the prestigious Giro d’Italia fourth stage to Mount Etna yesterday as Luxembourg’s Bob Jungels took the pink jersey to keep the race lead with his Quick Step team.

Climbing specialist Polanc, who races for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team, was part of a four-man breakaway that pulled free early in the 181km ride from Cefalu.

Despite being left on his own for the last 16km of the 18.1km climb to the summit, Polanc held on to solo over the finish line in just over 4hr 55min.

“It was probably the hardest day of my life,” Polanc said. And most of the peloton agreed.

While residents are used to seeing sparks from the regular eruptions on Europe’s highest active volcano, a tough headwind ended hopes of a stage four duel between defending champion Vincenzo Nibali and Colombian challenger Nairo Quintana.

“The climb was difficult with a constant headwind, especially after a long break,” Polanc said.

He finished 19sec ahead of Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin, after the Katusha rider made a last-gasp bid for glory.

A reduced peloton containing all the main favourites crossed the line 29sec behind the Slovenian, Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Sky) beating France’s Thibaut Pinot to finish third and claim precious bonus seconds that moved him up to second overall. – AFP