Former national champion Larry Warbasse (AG2R La Mondiale) accused Ruben Guerreiro (EF Pro Cycling), winner of stage 9 of the Giro d'Italia, of not helping enough in the day's breakaway.

Warbasse said he "didn't help" Guerreiro "at all," and Guerreiro defended himself, saying "all that mattered was winning.

On the 208km stage starting in San Salvo, Warbasse and Guerreiro were part of an eight-man breakaway that crossed Abruzzo in the rain, with Guerreiro overtaking Jonathan Castroviejo (Ineos Grenadiers) on the Roccaraso climb.

Warbasse, who had fallen on the previous day's climb, the second classification of Bosco di Sant'Antonio, was furious after finishing in fifth place.

"Guerreiro had a really shitty ride today. Maybe he was smart, but I think he was saving his legs for the sprint," Warbusse told reporters at the finish line, where rain was pouring down.

"Nobody liked his ride. But that's bicycle racing."

Guerreiro strongly defended himself at the victory press conference celebrating EF Pro Cycling's second stage win with a summit finish after teammate Jonathan Caicedo's victory on Mount Etna.

"I used to be more of a breaking rider," Guerreiro said.

"In last year's Vuelta, I was second in Santuario del Acebo behind Jumbo Visma climber Sepp Kuss," and "In Tirreno-Adriatico, I was second in stage 7 behind Alpecin Phoenix leader Mathieu van der Poel. He also finished second to Alpecin Phoenix leader Mathieu van der Poel on stage 7.

"Warbasse's run was pretty good. Maybe he was aiming for the overall," added Guerreiro.

"That's cycling. For me the important thing is to win, and this is the second win for the team. I'm really proud."

Guerreiro jumped out of the breakaway with Castroviejo 6km from the line after Castroviejo attacked.

"Castroviejo was the strongest on the flat. I was struggling and had to save my energy for the last kilometer. The important thing was to win."

Warbas said he suffered badly before the finale.

"I was really, really, really at my limit on the second to last climb. I gave everything I had. I'm quite disappointed because I thought I could win if I was in the breakaway group.