Cycling: Joaquim Rodriguez wins key Giro climb

Joaquim Rodriguez (GETTY IMAGES)

Overall race leader Joaquim Rodriguez won his second Giro d'Italia stage yesterday when he held off his main rivals to take the mountainous 17th stage in a six-man sprint.

Double Giro winner Ivan Basso of Italy was second to the Spaniard, having pressed the pace on the final climb, the Passo Giau, just before the final rapid descent into Cortina d'Apezzo, and is third overall. Canada's Ryder Hesjedal, second in the overall list, was third.