Giro d'Italia 2016: Stage 16 Results, Latest Standings and Highlights

Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde climbed to a thrilling win on Tuesday in Stage 16 of the 2016 Giro d’Italia, edging out overall leader Steven Kruijswijk on a summit finish. 

The result means LottoNL-Jumbo man Kruijswijk keeps the pink jersey and extends his advantage by 48 seconds to three minutes from Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEDGE). Further back, it was a bad day for Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), as the 2013 winner was left behind on the penultimate ascent.

Here is a look at the results from another absorbing day in the Giro, per Sky Sports Cycling:

Here is how the race for the maglia rosa is shaping up after another brilliant day for Kruijswijk:

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#Giro d'Italia general classification after stage 16: pic.twitter.com/zbjxXVbg29

— Sky Sports Cycling (@SkyCycling) May 24, 2016"

Valverde Battles to Stage 16 Win

LUK BENIES/Getty Images

Looking at the profile for this 132-kilometre run from Bressanone Brixen to Andalo, the riders would have been thankful of a rest day on Monday; they had two steep climbs to conquer, a long technical descent sandwiched in between and a sharp summit finish.

It was a stage always set to widen gaps in the general classification, and as the riders tackled the first ascent, the peloton disintegrated. The top riders moved to the front of the field as they scaled the summit of Passo della Mendola, and the lead group became trimmed, with the odd keeping the big names alert.

Indeed, many of the main contenders had a spurt themselves, although with the stage a relatively short one, none of the surges stuck. Nevertheless, Sadhbh O’Shea of Cycling News was enjoying the jostling:

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Short stages are always so much fun #Giro

— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) May 24, 2016"

The race really caught fire on the second climb of the day to Fai della Paganella. And it was the experienced Valverde who opted to up the ante with around 15 kilometres left. At this juncture, only Kruijswijk and Katusha’s Ilnur Zakarin were able to stay with the Spaniard, leaving plenty of illustrious riders in their wake.

VINCENZO PINTO/Getty Images

One of those was former winner and pre-tour favourite for victory Nibali. The Italian blew up when the aforementioned threesome made their push, and he eventually sagged back into the chasing group and never recovered.

ProCycling’s Scott O’Raw inferred Nibali may have been aware he didn’t have it in him to take victory again this year before the tour began:

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Remember when Nibali said he wanted his new contract completed before the Giro? Yeah, that.

— Scott O'Raw (@velocast) May 24, 2016"

With Chaves in the chasing group alongside the former winner, this breakaway gave Kruijswijk a brilliant chance to enhance his position further, and he was happy to work with his fellow riders as they sought to build a buffer. But with bonus seconds on offer for the stage winner, things got tactical in the final knockings.

And it’s where Valverde has excelled so often in his career. On the final corner, he darted to the front of the three-man group and left Zakarin unable to respond. Kruijswijk did go with him, although he was just edged out on the line for the second stage running. Here’s a look at the 36-year-old’s winning moment, per Eurosport UK TV:

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It's @Movistar_Team's @alejanvalverde who wins stage 16, his first #giro win at the age of 36 #homeofcycling https://t.co/3gRKNKLB35

— Eurosport UK TV (@EurosportUKTV) May 24, 2016"

As by the CafeRoubaix Twitter feed, for the Movistar man, this victory puts him in esteemed company when it comes to Grand Tour stage wins:

Making his debut in this Grand Tour, Valverde will be delighted to have come home first in one of the most absorbing stages. But the big winner on the day was Kruijswijk, who extended his advantage overall by 48 seconds, responded to everything his rivals had to offer and rode with the kind of composure you need to win an event as prestigious as this.

It’s tough to see any great drama over the next two flat stages when it comes to the general classification, but the Dutchman still has to come through the Alps unscathed if he's to clinch the win. At the moment, he looks primed for that challenge, and as this performance proves, he is relishing the responsibility of donning the pink garment.