LottoNL-Jumbo’s Steven Kruijswijk maintained his lead in today’s Giro d’Italia stage 17 to Cassano d’Adda. Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling) won the stage and Kruijswijk placed 30 th , still with three minutes on Esteban Chaves (Orica - GreenEDGE).

Unlike yesterday, a breakaway went immediately. Daniel Oss (BMC), Eugert Zhupa (Wilier Triestina - Southeast) and Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff) built a lead of more than five minutes. Trek - Segafredo and Lampre – Merida controlled the peloton. Right behind, the men of LottoNL-Jumbo kept the pink jersey at front. 

Twists and turns 

After the second intermediate sprint, three men crossed over to the leaders. Not much later, the peloton also joined and bunch sprint built towards the line. Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling), however, shot free with a late attack.

"It was not an easy ride", said Sports Director Addy Engels. "There were good riders in front that were not dangerous for us. The sprinters teams had to ride hard in the pursuit. We rode well just behind, but the twists and turns made it difficult." 

Steven Kruijswijk 

Kruijswijk finished with the other favourites and the overall remained the same, three minutes on Chaves and 3-32 on Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). 

"This was probably the last easy day. I enjoyed it and tried to save as much energy as possible,” Kruijswijk said. 

He must ride the longest stage of the Giro tomorrow with the Pramartino climb before Pinerolo. "It is a long day with a tough final, I have to be up there and make sure I climb it well and don’t lose time." 

"We have to pay attention tomorrow,” Sport Director Addy Engels said of the 240-kilometre stage. “The distance and especially that climb in the end, makes it a dangerous stage. After 220 kilometres, 4.6 kilometres uphill, averaging 10.5%, will hurt.”