Contador leads overall, Sella wins 20th stage

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

TIRANO, Italy (AFP) — Spanish Astana racer Alberto Contador retained the leader's pink jersey after Italian Emanuele Sella of CSF won the 20th and penultimate stage of the Tour of Italy, a 224km ride from Rovetta to Tirano on Saturday.

Contador managed to hold off the challenge of closest rival Riccardo Ricco with a 28.5km time trial to come as he kept intact his four-second advantage, negotiating the final Mortirolo climb of the event some 50km from the line.

Sella meanwhile completed an event hat-trick as he powered home in 6hr 52min 45sec with a minute to spare after hauling in compatriot Gilberto Simoni, who had counter-attacked in the final strait.

Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez of GCE finished in third on the day with Ricco and Contador crossing the line...