ROCCA DI CAMBIO, Italy (AP) — Paolo Tiralongo of Italy won the seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, while Ryder Hesjedal replaced Adriano Malori as the overall leader.
Tiralongo tussled with defending champion Michele Scarponi in the final 600 yards of the steep climb to the line before finishing the 125-mile leg from Recanati to Rocca di Cambio in a time of 5 hours, 51 minutes, 3 with a final sprint.
Hesjedal will wear the pink jersey on Sunday after crossing the line in fifth place, just behind Joaquim Rodriguez.
Frank Schleck, one of the favorites to win the race was three seconds behind Tiralongo in third.
