Valverde wins Giro’s 16th stage, Kruijswijk hangs on to lead (Reuters)

(Reuters) – Alejandro Valverde kept alive his hopes of winning this year’s Giro d’Italia with victory in the 16th stage on Tuesday, but race leader Steven Kruijswijk maintained a firm grip on the pink jersey by finishing second. Former champion Vincenzo Nibali cracked towards the end of the stage and his chances of winning for a second time after his 2013 triumph were seriously dented. Spaniard Valverde outsprinted Dutchman Kruijswijk at the end of the hilly 132-km ride between Bressanone and Andalo while Russian Ilnur Zakarin took third place eight seconds behind. …