Giro d'Italia: Julian Arredondo wins on day of Colombian domination

Colombia's Julian Arredondo secured the first Grand Tour win of his career as he powered to victory on stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia.

Arredondo attacked with about 4km to go and made the move count as compatriot Fabio Duarte had to settle for second.

Leader Nairo Quintana was yet another Colombian rider to enjoy a good day as he kept control of the pink jersey.

But Cadel Evans was the day's big loser as the Australian dropped from third to ninth in the general classification.

Quintana holds a commanding lead at the top of the general classification standings

The 2011 Tour de France winner cracked on the final climb of the day as he dropped off the back of the group containing all of the main overall race contenders.

Arredondo, who is also in the blue jersey as the race's best climber, proved the strongest of the group which made the decisive break and ultimately won the stage by 17 seconds, with Team Sky's Philip Deignan taking an impressive third place, an additional 20 seconds back.

Quintana gave a masterclass in staying out of trouble as he and his team covered any attempts by his main rivals to take a chunk out of his lead.

The 24-year-old Movistar rider leads another Colombian, Rigoberto Uran, by one minute 41 seconds, with France's Pierre Roland earning the reward for several attacks as he moved up to third place, 3:29 behind Quintana.

Stage 18 result:

1. Julian Arredondo (Colombia/Trek) 4:49:51"

2. Fabio Duarte (Colombia/Colombia) +17"

3. Philip Deignan (Ireland/Team Sky) +37"

4. Franco Pellizotti (Italy/Androni Giocattoli) +1:20"

5. Edoardo Zardini (Italy/Bardiani Valvole) +1:24"

6. Thomas De Gendt (Belgium/Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) +1:38"

7. Ivan Basso (Italy/Cannondale) +1:43"

8. Dario Cataldo (Italy/Team Sky) +1:59"

9. Fabio Aru (Italy/Astana) +2:43"

10. Nairo Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) +2:46"

General classification:

1. Nairo Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) 77:58:08"

2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia/Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) +1:41"

3. Pierre Rolland (France/Europcar) +3:29"

4. Fabio Aru (Italy/Astana) +3:31"

5. Rafal Majka (Poland/Tinkoff-Saxo)

6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy/AG2R) +3:52"

7. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada/Garmin) +4:32"

8. Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands/Belkin) +4:37"

9. Cadel Evans (Australia/BMC Racing) +4:59"

10. Robert Kiserlovski (Croatia/Trek) +8:33"