Russian Pavel Tonkov won the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia as Damiano Cunego retained the overall lead on Thursday. The veteran Tonkov, who won the race in 1996, finished more than two minutes ahead of the rest on the 153km stage.
It was his first stage victory in the Giro for two years, with Italian Alessandro Bertolini second just ahead of Australian Brad McGee.
Cunego, who came in a comfortable fourth, still leads overall by a minute and 15 seconds from Serhiy Honchar.
Tonkov broke away from the pack on the category two ascent Passo della Mendola, 53km from the finish.
He went on to catch an earlier breakaway before reaching the climb's summit.
The 35-year-old then dropped Bertolini, who stayed with him for a time on the descent into the valley, before forging ahead on his own towards the finish.
It was his seventh stage victory overall in the race.
Stage 17 results:
1. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) 3hr 40min 05sec
2. Alessandro Bertolini (Ita) at 2min 15sec
3. Bradley McGee (Aus) at 2:49
4. Damiano Cunego (Ita) at 2:49
5. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) at 2:49
6. Ruggero Marzoli (Ita) at 2:49
7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) at 2:49
8. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) at 2:49
9. Emanuele Sella (Ita) at 2:49
10. Ruben Lobato Elvira (Spa) at 2:49
11. Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) at 2:49
12. Alexandre Moos (Swi) at 2:49
Overall standings:
1. Damiano Cunego (It) 76hr 44min 15sec
2. Serhiy Gonchar (Ukr) at 1min 14sec
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) at 2:22
4. Gilberto Simoni (It) at 2:38
5. Brad McGee (Aus) at 4:04
6. Wladimir Belli (Ita) at 4:20
7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) at 4:26
8. Dario David Cioni (Ita) at 4:31
MMIX
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