Giro d'Italia: Alejandro Valverde wins as Steven Kruijswijk extends lead

Spain's Alejandro Valverde of team Movistar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 16th stage of the 99th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy, from Bressanone / Brixen to Andalo on May 24, 2016. ©AFP

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde has won Stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia while Dutchman Steven Krershvek retained the overall lead.

Tuesday's stage took the riders to a 132-kilometer route where Valverde finished first in a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes and 54 seconds to claim his first stage win of the competition.

Krershvek was given the same time and Ilnur Zakarin of Russia crossed the line eight seconds later. He might not have achieved the stage win for his Team, but Krershvek strengthened his position at the top of the General Classification. Wednesday's 17th stage will be a flat 196-kilometre route between Molveno and Cassano d'Adda. 

"This is my first win at the Giro d'Italia. This is my first Giro so I'm really happy. I have to be; we work really hard to get the results. It's not easy to do well and win a stage," Alejandro Valverde pointed out.

"I can't look back. I know I lost a lot of time but I prefer to look forward. I did a good time trial and I'm looking towards the future. I'd be up there for sure without losing time on the stage to Corvara but that's how things are and how they should be."

"I don't know if the podium has been decided. Kruijswijk is very, very strong, so it'll be very difficult to crack him. Nibali is fourth just behind me but for sure he'll attack too. He's classy and will try to knock me off the podium but I'll fight all the way to Turin."


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