Alberto Contador’s dislocated shoulder stood up to the mountain test as he retained the overall lead through eight stages in the Giro d’Italia on Saturday.
Contador, injured in a fall on the final sprint on Thursday, was clearly in pain at times on the 186km leg from Fiuggi to Campitello Matese, but he managed to stay in touch on the two categorized ascents, holding on during attacks from closest challenger Fabio Aru on the climb to the finish.
Contador even extended his lead after picking up bonus seconds during an early sprint, moving four seconds ahead of Aru and 22 ahead of Richie Porte.
Photo: EPA
“My team was working very well at the front of the group and I saw the chance to win two seconds and the sprint,” Contador said. “Two seconds are two seconds, you suffer a lot to win two seconds in a time trial.”
“I knew that Aru and Porte would attack on the final climb, and I responded to their attacks,” he said. “I wasn’t at ease in the saddle, but I got through the day and I’m happy.”
“I’ll go to bed with the arm immobilized, and I have to remind myself I’m injured and not do abrupt movements,” he added. “The time trial could be difficult for me. Astana is very strong, but time will be on my side.”
The Spaniard wants to become the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same year.
Benat Intxausti won the stage, attacking with just over 3km remaining and steadily increasing his advantage to win the second summit finish of the Giro. He sat up and raised his hands in celebration 300m from the line.
Aru’s Astana teammate, Mikel Landa Meana, finished 20 seconds behind Intxausti, with Sebastien Reichenbach third, 11 seconds further back and just four ahead of the group of general classification favorites.
“I was in a break with great riders,” Intxausti said. “There were many attacks in the final climb, but mine was the one which was successful.”
“I wanted a stage win and I knew that today would be a good chance,” he said. “I had good legs all day.”
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