Giro d'Italia Stage 18: San Vito di Cadore > Vedelago, 149kms

Manuel Boaro is heading an escape away after just a few kilometres...

Angelo Pagani leads the escape - but they're only a few minutes in front on this shart and fast stage...

Omega Pharma Quick-Step is chasing now...

Taylor Phinney is getting 'the snip' at the back - his mechanic is removing compression tape in the warmer weather...

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Boaro and his comrades have a one-minute lead in the approach to the flying sprint...

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The whole Team Sky squad suddenly accelerates in front - Cavendish wants those bonus points for his red jersey..!

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Most of the Euskatel team has been caught in a split becaue of Sky's move - they have little time to enjoy the mountains behind them...

Cavendish wins the flying sprint with ease - but the uphill approach over two-kilometres seems to have tired him...

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Bernhard Eisel switches from protecting Cavendish to collecting water-bottles - Sky is working too hard today..!

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Svein Tuft grabs at a mouthful of water on this hotterst day of the Giro...

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Ryder Hesjedal has two grinning rivals behind him - what are Basso and Scarponi up to..?

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Joachim Rodriguez is more serious - he has two mountainous stages coming in which to win or lose this Giro...

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Clement has launched himself into a new escape after the sprint - but they stuggle to gain even one minute so close to the finish...

Ian Stannard chases for Sky, it seems they'll be unbeatable at the end of the day...

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The sprint into Vedelago is on, but there's a man in bright yellow trying to spoil Cavendish's day..!

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Andrea Guardini wins stage eighteen and ruins Cavendish's day! The stage has averaged almost 50-kilometres-per-hour - almost a record in the Giro..!

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