Cycling: Dean scores podium finish in Giro

American cyclist Tyler Farrar has paid tribute to lead-out man Julian Dean after winning the 230km 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia today.

Farrar, 25, crossed the line in Bitonto ahead of Italian Fabio Sabatini with New Zealander Dean third after doing excellent lead-out work for the stage winner. Australian veteran Robbie McEwen was fourth.

Farrar was full of praise for his Garmin teammates afterwards, saying he had "the strongest team in the world" leading him out,

"The last kilometre was very dangerous with curves and the road getting narrower. I had a good position for going out of the wheels at the last moment," Farrar told Cyclingnews.

"Such a slight uphill finish was perfect for me; it's not me but Julian Dean who did something extraordinary.

"I was going to let him win but I saw Sabatini who was coming behind me and I had to keep the win in the team."

Three riders, France's Hubert Dupont, British rider Charles Wegelius and Dario Cataldo of Italy had tried to liven up the stage earlier in a long escape before being reeled in 16km from the finish.

The other New Zealander in the tour, Greg Henderson (Sky) recovered from a fall inside the last 20km to finish 14th, three seconds down on Farrar.

Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov retained the overall leader's pink jersey, one minute and 12 seconds ahead of Australian Cadel Evans.

Henderson is 57th, 38min 42sec down on the leader while Dean is 1hr 10min 17sec further back in 148th place.

Wednesday's 11th stage is at 262km, the longest of this year's edition from Lucera to l'Aquila.

- NZPA