It was a strong performance by Sonny Colbrelli in a demanding stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia. The rider from Brescia was part of a large breakaway that pulled away after a few kilometers and remained in front on a route full of ups and downs.

On the last climb with 10km to go, Davide Formolo emerged from the first part of the break and went solo to win the stage. Behind him a first chasing group arrived from which Colbrelli was dropped only 500 meters before the top of the last climb, crossing the finish line in La Spezia in the second group of chasers to take 15th.

Edoardo Zardini was also in the break and he won the KOM sprint on Colla di Velva (3rd category). Now he’s second in the King of Mountains classificaton, one point behind leader Kochetkov (Katusha).

”It was a hard, really hard. We went full gas since the first climb and we didn’t stop until the end," Colbrelli said. "With a breakaway so large, we never find a good harmony and everyone attacked. On the last climb of Biassa I struggled a lot to follow the leading group but when we were joined by Contador, Aru and Porte, the pace was really high and I was dropped few meters before the top. I tried to get back in front on the descent but it didn’t work. I knew Formolo was too far ahead but I could take a spot on the podium. It would have been a good reward after today's big effort. Now I have to recover and get ready for the Fiuggi stage."