Izagirre records first major Tour stage win

Spaniard Jon Izagirre's solo break paid off as the Euskaltel rider won the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia here on Tuesday for his first major win at this level. Fellow Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez of the Katusha team retained the overall leader's pink jersey a day before the race heads to the northern Dolomite mountains. Izagirre pulled ahead of a group of nine fellow escapees in a climb just 4km from the line, to claim his first success in this year's race for the Euskaltel team. The 23-year-old, who turned professional last year and whose brother Gorka also rode for the same team, finished 15sec ahead of Italy's Alessandro De Marchi and Dutch rider Stef Clement. It was his second career win after a time-trial stage in the Tour of Asturias in April. "We knew that this was an ideal stage to lead a breakaway," he said. "There were several of us in the team who tried and it was me who had the luck and the success to be in the right breakaway group. I am happy, no I would say I am very happy. "It's my second success for the team but my first at this level. "I am from a cycling family. My father was a professional, my brother (Gorka) was also in this team. This victory is important for the team especially if it helps in our search for a new sponsor...," he added. Izagirre also was disdainful of the idea his team would help 33-year-old Rodriguez take the overall crown. "Will we form an alliance with Rodriguez? No, the leader of our team is Mikel Nieve." Rodriguez for his part was phlegmatic about the challenge to come in the final days. "Anything can happen in Wednesday's stage, or nothing at all. I am expecting to be attacked and I am also ready to react." Wednesday's stage covers 186km from Falzes to Cortina d'Ampezzo and includes four climbs, including one to 2236 metres altitude 18km from the line.