Despite starting the day 2min 40sec behind former overall leader and compatriot Rigoberto Urán, Quintana finished the 139-kilometre route from Ponte di Legno to Val Martello - which included the Gavia and Stelvio climbs - with a 1:41 overall lead.

Australian Cadel Evans finished in third place overall, 3:21 behind Quintana.

The leg was not, however, without its controversy, with the wet weather conditions leading to some confusion as it had been wrongly reported the route down the Stelvio had been neutralised following blizzards.

The official Giro Twitter account suggested in error that the descent had been neutralised and some teams misinterpreted instructions to be careful on the descent, with riders slowing down at the top.

There was confusion as it was wrongly reported the route down the Stelvio had been neutralised following blizzards ©Getty Images


Italy's Dario Cataldo attacked two kilometres from the summit and claimed the Cima Coppi prize, which is given to the cyclist who crosses the highest point of the race first.

He sped down the descent amid the confusion in the peloton, as some athletes sat up and took time to put on warm clothing.

Quintana raced past Urán before attacking with 18km remaining to catch up with Cataldo.

The winner accelerated again with 7.5km to go and finished the stage in 4 hours 42min 35sec, ahead of Canadian Ryder Hesjedal and Frenchman Pierre Rolland in second and third, respectively.

Tomorrow's 17th stage is due to be a 208km route from Sarnonico to Vittorio Veneto.

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