Spanish Astana racer Alberto Contador retained the leader's pink jersey after Italian Emanuele Sella of CSF won the 20th and penultimate stage of the Tour of Italy, a 224km ride from Rovetta to Tirano on Saturday.
Contador managed to hold off the challenge of closest rival Riccardo Ricco with a 28.5km time trial to come as he kept intact his 4 second advantage, negotiating the final Mortirolo climb of the event some 50km from the line.
Sella meanwhile, completed an event hat-trick as he powered home in 6 hours, 52 minutes, 45 seconds with a minute to spare after hauling in compatriot Gilberto Simoni, who had counter-attacked in the final strait. Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez of GCE finished in third on the day with Ricco and Contador crossing the line together in a seven-strong chasing group 1 minute 30 seconds adrift.
PHOTO: AP
Contador benefited from the sterling work of teammate Antonio Colom, who led an early escape, that effort helping to compensate for the loss midway through of German stablemate Andreas Kloden, who pulled out at the 105km mark.
“This is a great win for me,” said Sella of his third success in the mountains, where his team, despite not being one of the elite formations, has shown dominant form. CSF have won four stages in all, with Matteo Priamo adding to Sella’s exploits.
Looking ahead to the climax, Contador said he would look carefully at the time trial course to plot his strategy.
“I’d love to win the stage of course — but the main thing is to make sure of the pink jersey,” he said.
Ricco was defiant for his part, saying all remained to play for and he was still in the race.
“I’ve given it everything. The Giro finishes tomorrow and I’ll not give up until the very end,” he said. “But Contador surely has the advantage in the time trial.”
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