Diego Ulissi has earned his second stage win at this year's race ©Getty Images

Italy’s Diego Ulissi sprinted to victory at the conclusion of stage 13 at the Giro d’Italia after a hilly stage from Cervia to Monselice.

The 192-kilometre stage saw a reduced group move clear on the final climb of the day, with the main sprinters distanced.

Ulissi had helped to create a split in the group to remove rivals Peter Sagan of Slovakia and France’s Arnaud Démare, with the latter missing out on a chance to earn a fifth stage win at this year’s race.

The UAE Team Emirates rider was supported by team-mate Brandon McNulty ahead of the final sprint, with the American delivering Ulissi to the line.

Ulissi held off the challenge of race leader João Almeida to win the stage in 4 hours, 22min and 18sec.

The stage win was Ulissi’s eighth at the Giro d’Italia in his career including two at this year’s race, following a triumph on stage two.

Almeida and Austria’s Patrick Konrad completed the top three on the same time as the stage winner.

Diego Ulissi has won eight Giro d'Italia stages in his career ©Getty Images
Diego Ulissi has won eight Giro d'Italia stages in his career ©Getty Images

The second-place finish gave Almeida bonus seconds, which boosted the Portuguese rider’s lead in the general classification.

Almeida now leads by 40 seconds from The Netherlands’ Wilco Kelderman.

Spain’s Pello Bilbao is 49 seconds off the race lead in third place.

Tomorrow could be a key day in the race with the first individual time trial taking place.

Riders will complete a 34.1km course from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene.

A mountain stage from Base Aerea Rivolto to Piancavallo will follow on Sunday (October 18), prior to the final rest day of the race.