Katusha rider Joaquim Rodriguez retained the pink jersey with three stages remaining of the Giro d’Italia as young Italian Andrea Guardini surprised Britain’s Mark Cavendish to win the 18th stage Thursday.
Guardini beat Cavendish and his compatriot Roberto Ferrari to cross the finish line first in Vedelago after a 149-kilometer, largely downhill stage. Cavendish continues to lead the points classification.
For Guardini, the result was his first major stage win as he competes in his first Grand Tour event.
In the general classification, Rodriguez, from Spain and riding for Russia's Katusha team, remains 30 seconds ahead of Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal and 1 minute 22 seconds ahead of Italy’s Ivan Basso.
The next two stages are long and difficult routes through the Dolomite mountains, terrain where Rodriguez has a record of performing well, before a time trial into Milan ends the race Sunday.
