Jon Izaguirre (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has won Stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia. The Basque rider dropped his breakaway companions on the day's last climb to win the medium mountain, 173-km ride from Limone sul Garda to Falzes in 4:02:00. Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giacattoli-Venezuela) outsprinted Stef Clement (Rabobank) for second at 0:16. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) remains the maglia rosa.

The early pace was fast, which discouraged breaks. The break of the day did not form until nearly 70 km had been ridden. Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela), Mathias Frank (BMC), Jon Izaguirre (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Luca Mazzanti (Farnese Vini-Sella Italia), Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol), Nicolas Maes (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Jose Herrada (Movistar), Stef Clement (Rabobank), Matthias Brandle (NetApp), and Manuele Boaro (Saxo Bank) got clear, and as no one was a GC threat--and as major mountain stages loomed--the peloton did not lift a pedal to chase. The break's advantage maxed out at about 12:30 with about 25 km left.

Herrada led the escapees onto the climb. Izaguirre took the lead, and Frank joined. Eventually, the Euskaltel-Euskadi man dropped Frank, whom Herrada and Clement joined. The three vied for the lower podium positions, while Izaguirre extended his lead. The Basque rider had plenty of time to celebrate his victory.

In the overall, Rodriguez leads Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) by 0:30 and Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale) by 1:22. Stage 17 will be the beginning of the 2012 Giro's decisive phase. The 186-km ride from Falzes to Cortina d'Ampezzo will feature two Category 2 climbs and as many Category 1 ascents. The day's last climb, the Category 1 Passo Giau, will precede a descent that might allow skilled descenders to steal time from their rivals. Who will win? Who will wear the maglia rosa? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!