Joaquin Rodriguez in the pink after stage victory at Giro d’Italia

SPANISH rider Joaquin Rodriguez triumphed in Assisi at the climax to stage ten of the Giro d’Italia as he moved into the pink jersey position.

Rodriguez, competing for the Katusha team, completed the 186-kilometre ride inland from Civitavecchia, a coastal town north of Rome, to the historic finish point in four hours, 25 minutes and five seconds.

The 33-year-old crossed the line just two seconds clear of Polish rider Bartosz Huzarski, who finished in second place for Team NetApp, and Movistar’s Italian Giovanni Visconti.

The victory lifted Rodriguez to the top of the overall classification standings, nudging Canadian Ryder Hesjedal down to second place. He holds a 17-second lead over the Garmin Barracuda man, with Astana’s Paolo Tiralongo a further 15 seconds adrift.

Rodriguez, having tasted stage success on the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana in previous years, was delighted to clinch his first Giro victory.

He said: “What’s changed today? I’ve got the pink jersey. My team-mates and I were relaxed before the start because we hadn’t felt any pressure so far in the Giro. With this win, we’ll be even more confident. Today’s stage win is important for me and my team. From now on if things don’t go well, I’ve still worn the pink jersey.”