Pogacar continues Giro dominance on day of rider protests

Tadej Pogacar continued his dominance of the Giro d'Italia after pounding his way to victory in  Tuesday's shortened 16th stage, which started three hours late after riders rebelled at demands they race through snow.

Slovenian cycling superstar Pogacar burst to the fifth stage win of his first ever Giro to extend his huge lead at the top of the general classification and close in on third triumph at a Grand Tour.

The two-time Tour de France winner could have held his position in the peloton and still led the three-week race handsomely but surged past Giulio Pellizzari in the final kilometre before holding five fingers aloft as he crossed the line.

Riders were supposed to begin the 202-kilometre mountain stage between Livigno and Santa Cristina Val Gardena at 11:20am (0920 GMT) but plans were changed after hours of discussion, confusion and anger within the peloton and the race began at 2:30pm.

The stage was twice shortened due to the hazardous conditions, after a rider rebellion against organisers who pushed for a full day's racing.

td/pb