13th stage (Chieti to San Giacomo, 190km)

The Panaria team rider Julio Perez Cuapio excelled in the mountains to breakaway and claim the win

Jens Heppner finishes behind rival Francesco Casagrande but retains the overall lead

12th stage (Compobasso to Chieti, 200km)

Tyler Hamilton's expression sums up the riders' feelings on the sodden stage

Colpack rider Denis Lunghi claims his first career win in the atrocious conditions

11th stage (Benevento to Campitello Matese, 140km)

Gilberto Simoni leads in an Italian 1-2-3 as he edges a sprint finish with Francesco Casagrande

Defending champion Simoni is withdrawn from the race amid speculation of a positive drugs test