(AP) ETNA, Italy — Giro d’Italia favorite Alberto Contador surged to his first stage win of this year’s race Sunday and took the leader’s pink jersey from Pieter Weening.
The three-time Tour de France winner finished the 104.7-mile ninth stage from Messina in 4 hours, 54 minutes, 8 seconds, with Jose Rujano three seconds behind.
“The plan worked today,” Contador said. “We had some doubts at times because the race was so slow, but we thought we should try it. (Vincenzo) Nibali stayed with me for a while, but I went and managed to hold on for the win.
Stage 9 – Results
1. Alberto Contador Velasco Saxo Bank Sungard - 4:54:09
2. José Rujano Guillen Androni Giocattoli - 0:00:03
3. Stefano Garzelli Acqua & Sapone - 0:00:50
4. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas-Cannondale
5. Roman Kreuziger Pro Team Astana
6. David Arroyo Duran Movistar Team
7. Kanstantsin Sivtsov HTC-Highroad
8. Igor Anton Hernandez Euskaltel-Euskadi - 0:00:59
9. John Gadret AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:07
10. Hubert Dupont AG2R La Mondiale
General Classification After Stage 9
1. Alberto Contador Velasco Saxo Bank Sungard - 33:03:51
2. Kanstantsin Sivtsov HTC-Highroad - 0:00:59
3. Christophe Le Mevel Team Garmin-Cervelo - 0:01:19
4. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:01:21
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre – ISD - 0:01:28
6. David Arroyo Duran Movistar Team - 0:01:37
7. Roman Kreuziger Pro Team Astana - 0:01:41
8. Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Androni Giocattoli - 0:01:47
9. Dario Cataldo Quickstep Cycling Team - 0:02:21
10. Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Photo credit – CorVos
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