Contador Takes Giro Stage 16

Alberto Contador

Alberto Contador has won stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia after the Spanish rider put over half-a-minute into his nearest rivals, Italy's Vincenzo Nibali and Michele Scarponi, in the mountain time trial on Tuesday.

Contador, 28, completed the 12.7-kilometre course in 28 minutes and 55 seconds, 34 seconds ahead of second-placed Nibali while Scarponi finished four seconds further back.

Great Britain's David Millar came in 24th, one minute and 56secs adrift of Contador.

There was a minute's silence before Tuesday's stage in honour of Spanish rider Xavier Tondó of Movistar, who died on Monday in a domestic accident back home.

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

The 12.7km 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 per cent, with the last four kilometres hitting a leg-sapping 14 per cent 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 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.

General classification: 

1. Alberto Contador (Spa - Saxo Bank-SunGard) 62 hours 43mins 37secs, 

2. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita - Liquigas-Cannondale) 4mins 58secs, 

3. Michele Scarponi (Ita - Lampre-ISD) 5mins 45secs, 

4. John Gadret (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale) 7mins 35secs, 

5. José Rujano (Ven - Androni Giocattoli) 9mins 18secs,

6. Mikel Nieve (Spa - Euskaltel-Euskadi) 9mins 22secs, 

7. Denis Menchov (Rus - Geox-TMC) 9min 38secs, 

8. Roman Kreuziger (Cze - Astana) 9min 47secs, 

9. Joaquim Rodríguez (Spa - Katusha) 10mins 25secs, 

10. Igor Antón (Spa - Euskaltel) 10min 58secs.

Selected others: 

55. Philip Deignan (Irl - RadioShack) 1hr 16mins 21secs, 

70. Peter Kennaugh (GB - Team Sky) 1hr 35mins 18secs, 3mins 6secs, 

104. David Millar (GB - Garmin-Cervelo) 2hrs 8mins 19secs, 

147. Russell Downing (GB - Team Sky) 2hrs 43mins 28secs.