Spain’s Alberto Contador put in a stunning mountain time trial to win his second stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia this afternoon and strengthen his grip on first place.

Alberto Contador finished second behind Venezuela’s Jose Rujano in today’s 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia to extend his cushion as the overall leader.

Vincenzo Nibali retained the lead in the Vuelta a Espana as Peter Velits won today’s individual time trial in Penafiel, his first stage win of the season.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd took the honours on the sixth stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday after pipping a whole host of riders in a massed sprint finish in Murcia.

Frenchman Damien Monier attacked on the final climb to claim victory on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia today.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) claimed the biggest win of his career today on the 18th stage of the Vuelta A Espãna besting Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) to the line in a nail-biting two-up sprint finish into Avila

The Saunier Duval-Scott team have voluntarily withdrawn from the Tour de France in the wake of the positive drug test returned by their star climber Riccardo Ricco.

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won the opening stage of the 95th Tour de France after a storming finish in the final kilometre.

FRANCE’S Sandy Casar won the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Cahors and Angouleme in a sprint finish yesterday.