Race Leader Joaquin Rodriquez won the Giro D'Italia Stage 17 this afternoon.
A stage of four major climbs faced the riders who left yesterday's finish and today's start town of Falzes/Pfalzen heading for Cortina d'Ampezzo.
This 187km stage saw Matteo Rabottini (Farnese-Vini), Branislau Samoilau (Movistar), Kevin Seeldraeyers (Astana), Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r-La Mondiale), and Jose Perez (Androni) break away after 48kms.
They were chased down by Eustaktel's Mikel Nieve who was within 30 seconds of them and a further 35 seconds ahead of the peloton including race leader Joaquin Rodriquez and Points Leader Mark Cavendish, with sixty kilometres to go
Rabottini took the points for beng first over the Passo Duran after claiming the first climb before Kevin Seeldraeyers shot through the narrow roads on his own at the front.
He was reeled in and a strong group of riders took over at the front.
On the Forcella Staulanza climb in view of the snow covered Monte Pellmo, Roman Kreuziger was amongst the riders struggling on this second category climb. Francesco Farelli took the points for being first over.
Six riders in Basso, Scarponi, Hesjesdal;, Pozzovivo, Uran and race leader Joaquin Rodriguez were now leading as the riders prepared for the final and worst climb of the day, the category one Passo Giau.
Domenico Pozzovivo ahead of Ryder Hesjedal took the 15 points on offer in front of big crowds including a number of Brits and then led the way down the mountain towards the finish.
Michale Scarponi was suffering from cramp and he had to drop back from the five at the front for a while but got back to them for the final two kilometres.
Ivan Basso was on the front under the flam rouge. The sprint started with 350ms left but it was Joaquin Rodriquez who took the win ahead of Basso in a time of 5:24.41.