The Maglia Rosa, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), responded to a series of attacks on the final climb and descent, but ended the stage having safely defended his overall race lead despite some tricky moments on the final drop of the day.

Beñat Intxausti (Movistar) took his team’s third stage win at the 2013 Giro d’Italia today, outsprinting the Estonian champion Tanel Kangert (Astana) and Poland’s Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre Merida) to win Stage 16 at Ivrea.

Commenting on the final descent of the day, Nibali said, “I accelerated where the road surface was good, to close the gap. On some corners, there were rivulets of water, and I didn’t like the conditions, so I didn’t take any risks. At one point, Scarponi missed a curve, so I rode quite carefully and just kept a watchful eye to make sure nothing happened.”

Nibali’s teammate, Tanel Kangert, was very active in the finale. “2km from the finish, I told him to attack, to win the stage and neutralize the time bonuses. The team wants a stage win. He’s in good shape, and we’ll see whether he has a free role in the mountain time trial. He’s having a good race, and he’s always been beside me in the mountains.”

Nibali’s final remarks concerned his compatriot and rival, Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida). “Scarponi is a few minutes back [3’53”], so he has to look for opportunities in every stage to try to win back time. Cadel [Evans, BMC] is much closer, and he will certainly try something in the mountains. But I want a stage win. The most important stages are Mori-Polsa, Val Martello, and Tre Cime, although I know it’s going to be very difficult.”