CEREDIGION’s Stevie Williams has moved up into the overall lead of the prestigious Under-23s Giro d’Italia after an incredible performance on Tuesday.

The Ronde de l’Isard winner, who is from Capel Dewi, finished the day with a 13 second lead on the second placed rider in the overall classification, after six days.

“We went out with the goals of saving as much energy as possible until the final climb, and that worked well," said Williams, the new Maglia Rosa of the Under-23s Giro d’Italia, who is key member of the SEG Racing Academy.

"In the last climb, I still had gas left so I could make some gaps. It feels really good to be in pink, it is just a dream come true for me, so I am really happy right now.

"The team worked great all day, on the last climb Jan (Maas) set a really high pace until two kilometers to go, and then I attacked.

"The next few days are going to be tough, but we have a really strong team so hopefully, we can defend the jersey."

The day featured three categorized climbs, including two first category, with the finish place atop of the Dimaro Folgarida.

The stage got off to a really fast start, with the main group stuck together for the first hour of racing. Eventually, a 16-man group broke clear of the bunch, but was never allowed more than one minute.

In the slopes of the Passo del Tonale, the second-to-last climb of the day, the peloton picked up the pace and quickly it was down to just 50 riders. Williams, who started the day in fourth overall, took the front of the favorites’ group with seven kilometers to go.

The high pace set by SEG teammate Jan Mass reduced the main group to just a dozen riders, the Dutchman made one last push, with Williams on his wheel.

Soon after the Welshman launched an attack that nobody could match and went on to pursue the leader.

Unluckily, Williams fell just a few meters short the stage win, but his amazing effort saw the Ceredigion climber move up to the overall lead, after a solid team effort all day long.