Mexico's Julio Perez Cuapio staged a late surge to win the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia from Chieti to the ski resort of San Giacomo.

The Panaria rider and Mapei's Cadel Evans attacked 3km from the finish, but the Mexican broke clear in the closing stages of the climb to win by 13 seconds.

It was Perez Cuapio's second stage win at the Giro after his victory on the mountain stage to the summit of the Passo Pordoi in 2001.

"I knew before the start today was the right day for a victory," said Perez Cuapio.

"I attacked Evans in the toughest part of the ascent. It's a great joy."

Italian pair Dario Frigo and Francesco Casagrande, who are the favorites to win the Giro, finished third and fourth - 17 and 19 seconds behind respectively.

But German Jens Heppner of the Telekom team retained the leader's pink jersey despite finishing one minute 29 seconds behind second-placed Casagrande.

Heppner holds a 1:48 lead going into Sunday's 14th stage, a 30.3km individual time trial around the Adriatic resort of Numana.

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