Giro d'Italia 2023 Stage 13 recap: Einer Rubio exploits Thibaut Pinot and Jefferson Cepeda rift to win shortened stage in style

Giro d'Italia
Stage 13 | Mountain | men | 19.05.2023
Completed
Le ChâbleCrans-Montana
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Felix Lowe
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Felix Lowe
Updated 19/05/2023 at 16:54 GMT

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16:37
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NEW-LOOK TOP 10 AFTER STAGE 13
The one big change is that Thibaut Pinot, despite missing out on the win, has returned to the top 10 today at the expense of Aurelien Paret-Peintre. Here's how things look:
1. Geraint Thomas
2. Primoz Roglic +02
3. Joao Almeida +22
4. Andreas Leknessund +42
5. Damiano Caruso +1:28
6. Lennard Kamna +1:52
7. Eddie Dunbar +2:32
8. Thymen Arensman +2:45
9. Laurens De Plus +3:08
10. Thibaut Pinot +3:13
16:34
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CONSOLATION FOR PINOT IN FORM OF MAGLIA AZZURRA
It won't mean that much to the fragile French veteran but he'll get a trip to the podium after all today: he's back in the blue jersey thanks to his points over both climbs. Pinot is now on 108pts which is 4pts clear of Davide Bais with Einer Rubio up to third on 58pts.
16:33
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RUBIO: 'I LET THEM PLAY THEIR GAMES'
"Finally. My big day. I was looking for it and I've worked really hard for this. I really wanted to prepare for this Giro. I've struggled in the bad weather but I knew that I didn't have to give up. I wanted to keep looking for my own opportunities and thanks to God and everyone who helps me, my dream came true today."
Did he play off Pinot's nerves? "I knew that Pinot was really strong. Cepeda as well. So I just has to leave them to play their game - that was the strategy. Maybe it will sink in soon. I came thinking I could win a stage but I managed to achieve it."
16:26
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STAGE 13 RESULT
1. Einer Rubio (Movistar)
2. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) +06
3. Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost) +12
4. Derek Gee (Israel-PremierTech) +1:01
5. Valentin Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroen) +1:29
6. Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost) +1:29
7. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +1:35
8. Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla) +1:35
9. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) +1:35
10. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +1:35
16:23
THIBAUT PINOT IN TEARS AFTER LATEST HEARTBREAK
You sense that he only has himself to blame there, though. His constant attacks and bickering with Jefferson Cepeda allowed Einar Rubio back in on numerous occasions - and there's a fair dollop of karma in seeing both Pinot and Cepeda lose out to the man who silently went about his business on that final climb, the pounced when he needed to.
16:22
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GERAINT THOMAS RETAINS THE PINK JERSEY
Derek Gee held on for fourth and then Valentin Paret-Peintre pipped Hugh Carthy for fifth. Eddie Dunbar put in a late attack to go clear of the GC favourites but he was reeled in after Geraint Thomas put in a dig to come home alongside Primoz Roglic to retain the pink jersey for a fifth day.
16:16
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EINAR RUBIO WINS STAGE 13 IN STYLE
What a coup for the Colombian from Movistar, who caught out both his rivals before riding clear of Thibaut Pinot to take a maiden Grand Tour stage win. He was dropped multiple times on the climb but dug deep and then thwarted Jefferson Cepeda and Pinot at the finish. Chapeau!

Rubio clinches thrilling victory on shortened Stage 13 after Pinot dashes

16:15
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FINAL KILOMETRE
One winner from Pinot, Cepeda and Pinot... Your guess is as good as mine.
16:15
DAMIANO CARUSO ATTACKS FROM THE GC GROUP
16:14
1.5KM TO GO: BAHRAIN TAKE IT UP
Just as De Plus peels off, Buitrago comes onto the front and launches Damiano Caruso. The Italian veteran has ridden clear of the main pack - but his gap is small and it's Arensman who leads the chase for Thomas and the other GC contenders.
16:11
2KM TO GO: CEPEDA WITH THE LATEST ATTACK
The EF rider puts in a dig which is matched by both riders. There's a lot of hard stares and angry eyes going on, but Pinot looks like a man on a mission. If he loses this you get the impression that he may cry. What a battle this is.
Behind, Laurens de Plus continues pulling for Ineos in what is proving to be a GC stalemate. They trail the leaders by 2'05". Carthy has dropped Fortunato but he's 1'40" down and it will be too late.
16:10
3KM TO GO: THREE BACK TOGETHER
Pinot grits his teeth but you worry that he's going to have his pocket-picked by his South American companions here. They have really frustrated him so far - notably Cepada - and none of his attacks have stuck.
16:06
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4KM TO GO: THE YO-YOING CONTINUES AS PINOT RETURNS
The French veteran catches Cepeda and this epic dual enters the next irresistible phase. As they slow, Rubio closes the gap a little and returns to the fold. Any three can win this. They have 2'25" over Carthy and Fortunato, who have joined forces, with the pack now at 2'45".
16:04
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5KM TO GO: PINOT LEADS CHASE
Cepeda really gave Pinot the stare as he attacked then. It came as he looked over to ask the Frenchman to take a pull, which he refused - so Cepeda simply told him to do one as he rode clear. But it's not over yet - Pinot is battling back, and Rubio cannot be discounted yet...
16:04
CEPEDA RIDES CLEAR OF PINOT AND RUBIO, CARTHY ATTACKS MAIN PACK
16:02
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5.5KM TO GO: HUGH CATHY ATTACKS! THEN CEPEDA!
It's a two-pronged attack from EF Education-EastPost as Hugh Carthy rides clear of the main pack just moments before his team-mate skips clear of Pinot and Rubio.
16:00
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6.5KM TO GO: PINOT CAUGHT, THEN ATTACKS AGAIN
Remarkable stuff by the Frenchman - or will it prove to be his downfall? He's caught by Rubio and Cepeda, then rides clear of them again. Only to be caught once again by the Ecuadorian and then the Colombian. He's clearly getting frustrated out there - and needs the others to do some work rather than trying to shell them out.
15:56
7.5KM TO GO: FIRST ATTACK FROM MAGLIA ROSA GROUP
And it comes from Lorenzo Fortunato of Eolo-Kometa. The Italian won on Monte Zoncolan in 2021 but is 15 minutes down on GC. His team suffered the tragic loss of their Spanish rider Arturo Gravalos last night, who passed away after a long battle with a brain tumour. A win for Fortunato today would be a wonderful way to remember the late Gravalos.
‘Deep sorrow and immense pain’ – EOLO-KOMETA confirm Gravalos passed away at 25
15:55
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8KM TO GO: ANOTHER ATTACK FORM PINOT JUST AS RUBIO RETURNS
The Frenchman trades some choice words with Cepeda as Rubio rides back into contention. Pinot then puts in his umpteenth acceleration to open up a gap on his two pint-sized rivals.