The 188-kilometre stage concluded with the Alto de Velefique climb, but Caruso made his move well before then, dropping the remaining members of what had been an 11-rider breakaway 70km from the finish line.

The Bahrain Victorious rider was able to resist the approach of several of the general classification's leading lights and crossed the line in 5 hours 3min 14sec - earning a second Grand Tour stage win of the season.

Caruso won the penultimate stage of this year's Giro d'Italia and finished the race second overall.

He can now tip his hat to the King of the Mountains jersey, which he will wear on the next stage.

Behind him, Enric Mas of Movistar and Spain attacked from a second breakaway on the final climb, and only Roglič could match him.

The Slovenian, seeking to win a third consecutive red jersey, worked with Mas to punish their rivals and crossed the line 1min 5sec behind Caruso.

Jumbo-Visma's Roglič beat Mas by a second, but it was effectively three given their respective time bonuses.

Ineos Grenadiers' Briton Adam Yates was in the group that finished 1:44 off the winner's pace, but it was a bad day for the team as Colombian Egan Bernal lost more than a minute on Roglič, and last year's runner-up Richard Caparaz of Ecuador more than eight.

Mas is up to second in the general classification, 0:28 behind Roglič, and Movistar team mate Miguel Ángel López of Colombia is 1:21 back.

Bernal is fifth, 1:52 back, Yates sixth and trailing by 2:07, with the Australian Jack Haig of Bahrain Vctorious fourth, 1:42 behind Roglič.

Tomorrow is a rest day.