Seeing a move go clear with 35km to go, RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK riders moved into position to bridge across and in the end put four riders in the first group.
A chaotic rush for the line saw one rider away and all others mounting a furious chase. Danilo Hondo was part of that group, sprinting for fifth place on stage 17.
Robert Kišerlovski lost some important time on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia, coming to the line 1:51 off the time of stage winner Intxausti (Movistar) and losing 1:37 to the Maglia Rosa.