Emotional Italian Fabio Aru made amends for days of “torture” on the Giro d’Italia by soloing to victory on stage 19 as Spain’s Alberto Contador moved a step closer to his second triumph.
Astana leader Aru had seen his bid for overall victory steadily tamed by the superiority of Contador after the race moved upward into the high mountains earlier this week.
However, the Italian, whose famous “gurn” when he is in pain has created a social media buzz this week, showed he was down but not out with a stunning attack on Canadian rival Ryder Hesjedal late on the 19km final climb to the summit finish in Cervinia.
Photo: EPA
It allowed Aru to cross the line alone after the 236km stage from Grevallona with a time of 6 hours, 24 minutes, 13 seconds, with Hesjedal of Cannondale in second place, nearly 30 seconds behind.
Contador, the 2008 champion, arrived nearly 1 munute, 18 seconds behind Aru, but maintains a comfortable advantage over his closest rivals ahead of today’s final stage to Milan.
“I’m happy, we’re one step closer to Milan,” Contador said. “Hats off to Fabio[Aru], he was the strongest today.”
Aru moved back up to second overall at 4 minutes, 37 seconds behind Contador, with Spanish teammate Landa dropping to third at 5 minutes, 15 seconds down, but nearly three minutes clear of Movistar rider Andrey Amador, who is 8 minutes, 10 seconds behind the leader in fourth.
Aru unleashed all his emotions when he crossed the finish line in triumph and told Rai Sport1: “I didn’t know what was going through my mind when I crossed the finish line. In the past few days I’ve suffered enormously; on the Mortirolo [climb] it was just torture.”
“The suffering on the last 7km today was nothing compared to what I went through on the last 40 km of the stage to Mortirolo [on Tuesday], but today was a sign I’m not giving in, and my determination has led to this amazing win.”
After the peloton had reeled in Movistar rider Giovanni Visconti early on the last climb, Astana launched hostilities 9.5km from home, but Contador was wise and latched on to Landa’s back wheel when the Spaniard attacked off the front.
Hesjedal was quick to take over to lead a six-strong front group and the Canadian upped the ante when he broke away alone to build a 10 second lead.
Aru, sitting third overall overnight 50 seconds behind teammate Landa, then took the race by the scruff of the neck with a counterattack that saw him overtake Hesjedal and ultimately force the big Canadian to surrender arms 6km from the finish.
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