MORE PINK FOR KRUIJSWIJK

Steven Kruijswijk defended the Maglia Rosa with panache today beating back competition and extending his lead to 3 full minutes. The Team Lotto NL Jumbo rider took second in the stage just behind Movistar rider Alejandro Valverde. The stage kept a blistering pace of 44,74 km/h average speed.

Steven Kruijswijk defended the Maglia Rosa with panache today beating back competition and extending his lead to 3 full minutes. The Team Lotto NL Jumbo rider took second in the stage just behind Movistar rider Alejandro Valverde. The stage kept a blistering pace of 44,74 km/h average speed.

Kruijswijk said: "Second yet again! I wanted to give my team a win but it's an ideal situation for the Maglia Rosa as I'm now three minutes ahead of Esteban Chaves and the others. I was feeling really good so I had to make the best of this short but really hard stage. I had to follow Nibali when he attacked early in the stage. I didn't expect so much action the day after the rest day".

Look for Kruijswijk back in pink tomorrow for the 17th Stage of the Giro from Molveno to Cassano d'Adda.