Contador consolidates Giro top spot

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.

The Saxo Bank-Sungard rider completed the 16th stage to Nevegal in 28 minutes and 55 seconds.

Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas was second in the stage, 34 seconds behind Contador, while Lampre’s Michele Scarponi finished four seconds further back.

There was a minute’s silence before today’s stage in honour of Spanish rider Xavier Tondo of Movistar, who died yesterday in a freak domestic accident back home.

Contador wore a black armband and later dedicated the victory on the podium to his compatriot.

The 12.7-kilometres stage that started at Belluno was one of the most eagerly anticipated and there were plenty of fans on the road to cheer the riders.

The first five kilometres were flat and on gravel before the climb to Nevegal.

There was an average gradient of 8.3%, with the last four kilometres hitting a leg-sapping 14% as the riders approached the summit.

Despite losing 13 seconds on Nibali in the first check, Contador made up for it in the mountain climb to take one step closer to his second Giro d’Italia overall triumph.

Contador, who won the Giro in 2008, leads the general standings by four minutes 58 seconds over Scarponi.

Nibali, who struggled in yesterday’s harsh 229-kilometres stage, lies third - five minutes 45 seconds behind Contador – but took back four seconds from compatriot Scarponi, with just five stages left.