Juan Ayuso, the Spanish 18-year-old who is leading the Baby Giro, took his third stage win of the race today. He is now dominating the event in much the same way Tom Pidcock did last year, and is perhaps even surpassing the British rider.
While Ireland's Ben Healy lost some time today when the road kicked up, he performed better than most in the quality international field. As a result, Healy (20) remains in the top 10 overall after what was a very big stage with over 3,000 metres of climbing.
Trinity Racing rider Healy, who has already been 2nd and 3rd on stages of this race, placed 20th today. He was 4:46 down on stage winner Ayuso (Colpack Ballan). Healy slipped one place in the general classification and is now 9th overall at 7:40.
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On today's stage 7 the riders raced just 119.4km from Sondrio to Lanzada Diga di Campo Moro. But the race was all about the final climb of Lanzada Lago di Campo Moro rather than the distance.
At 15.7km with an average gradient of 6.5 per cent, that final climb was always going bring about a sort-out in the general standings. The two cat 2 climbs just before the big mountain only served to softened up the field before it reached the day's main battle ground.
An early breakaway of five riders forged their way clear and built a gap of several minutes. But they were swept up in time for the much-anticipated battle on the summit finish.
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On the climb, a select group of about 20 riders eventually formed. From that group, race leader Ayuso and Jesus Peña (Colombia Tierra de Atletas) pressed on in a two-man move as the climb progressed.
They pulled cleared after an attack by race leader Ayuso with about 5km remaining. Once he went and Peña was with him, the remainder of the front runners were in a fight to limit their losses.
However, while 21-year-old Colombian rider Peña was climbing very well as he and Ayuso pulled ahead of everyone else, he had no answer when the race leader attacked again a little further up the climb.
Ayuso then climbed the last kilometres of the mountain on his own to take a strong solo win, and tighten his grip on the race lead. Peña took 2nd place 52 seconds back.
Just 22 seconds later came a group of three which included Healy's Trinity Racing team mate, the British rider Thomas Gloag.
The field was then stretched a long way back the road, with the last man home finishing almost 40 minutes down on the stage winner, even though the victorious Ayuso had completed the stage in 2½ hours.
Healy finished in a three-man group 4:46 down. And though he endured a very tough day in the saddle, he held his own to remain in the top 10 overall.
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