Tom Dumoulin gains more time on his rivals on Oropa
Dumoulin extends his lead in the Maglia Rosa and takes victory ahead of Zakarin, Landa and Quintana on the steep slopes of the final climb to Oropa
It all came down to the final brutal climb.
Dumoulin took another 24 seconds against Quintana his closest rival on stage 14 to Oropa, nicknamed Pantani Mountain. The 26 year old was initially distanced by Quintana who attacked with 5 kms to go, with Ilnur Zakarin being the only other favorite who could follow.
Behind other GC riders started being dropped, Baulke Mollema from Trek-Segafredo the biggest loser, dropping out of the current podium places.
Quintana then went again and dropped Zakarin.
But the 26 year old Pink Jersey holder, Tom Dumoulin fought back with Nibali, Zakarin, Yates and Landa on his wheel.
He caught Quintana with 3 kms to go, and then counter attacked.
In the final two hundred metres Zakarin was in front with Dumoulin, Landa and Quintana just behind.
Quintana was slightly distanced and Dumoulin burnt all of his remaining matches to come around Zakarin and take the stage win and 10 seconds bonus points, finishing 14 seconds in front of Quintana.
Behind FDJ's Pinot fought hard and limited his loses and moved up to 3rd, as did Yates and Nibali.
Tom Dumoulin said after the stage "I couldn't follow the first attack by Quintana. I slowly clawed back and then counter attacked. Near the finish I was happy to take time on Pinot, Nibali and Mollema, but then I saw Quintana fade and I had enough energy to come round Zackarin in the closing metres to win the stage and get the additional time bonus points."
"It's a good position to be in, but we''ll have to see how the final week goes. It's going to be very difficult!"
2017 Giro d'Italia Stage 14 Top Ten Results
1 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb 3:02:03
2 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin 0:00:03
3 Mikel Landa (Spa) Team Sky 0:00:09
4 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:14
5 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ 0:00:35
6 Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott 0:00:41
7 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:43
8 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
9 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:00:46
10 Tanel Kangert (Est) Astana Pro Team
2017 Giro d'Italia General Classification after Stage 14
1 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb 59:31:17
2 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:02:47
3 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ 0:03:25
4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:03:40
5 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin 0:04:24
6 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo 0:04:32
7 Tanel Kangert (Est) Astana Pro Team 0:04:55
8 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:04:59
9 Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors 0:05:28
10 Andrey Amador (CRc) Movistar Team 0:05:36