Stage 0: Teams Presentation Full Results and Report
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The scene outside of the Sanremo Casino waiting for the teams to arrive | 
The pink carpet has been rolled out | 
Lampre-Merida | 
FDJ | 
Bardiani CSF | 
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Lotto NL - Jumbo | 
Nippo - Vini Fantini led by Damiano Cunego in their new kits | 
BMC | 
Rick Zabel and Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) | 
Philippe Gilbert | 
Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) | 
Tinkoff - Saxo | 
Race favorite Alberto Contador | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) still looks sick | 
Not a flattering angle of Tom Boonen | 
Rigoberto Uran (EQS) | 
Rinaldo Nocentini and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale) | 
Richie Porte (Sky) | 
Inside Sanremo Casino | 
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Ag2r La Mondiale | 
BMC's kits clashed with the lighting | 
Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador | 
Let the race begin. Video: On-Demand Broadcast of the Teams Presentation | 
Also see: 23 Big Photos w/ Quotes from Thursday and Friday Pre-Race Press Conferences |
Stage 1: San Lorenzo a Mare → Sanremo, 17.6 km Full Results and Report
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TTT race favorites, Orica GreenEdge, on the bike path portion of the 17.6 km TTT along the Sanremo coast | 
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Orica GreenEdge on their way to winning the TTT in 19:26 | 
New best time, 7s better than Saxo-Tinkoff | 
Tinkoff - Saxo | 
Michael Rogers leading Tinkoff - Saxo to 2nd +7s, putting Alberto Contador ahead of his rival after the first day. | 
3rd Astana + 13s with Dario Cataldo at the front. They held the best time for awhile. | 
Rigoberto Uran leading Etixx - Quick Step to 4th + 19s | 
Etixx-Quick Step digging for home | 
Movistar down the start ramp | 
5th Movistar + 21s | 
6th BMC + 25s | 
Team Sky out on course | 
Team Sky led by Richie Porte could only manage 9th + 27s | 
Ag2r La Mondiale | 
22nd and last, Androni Giocattoli + 1:03 | 
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Repeat win. Your Stage 1 TTT winners, Orica GreenEdge | 
This team knows how to celebrate | 
It takes lots of experience at winning to celebrate like this | 
Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) will wear the first pink jersey | 
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They make a nice couple | 
Simon Gerrans and his kids celebrate |
Stage 2: Albenga → Genova, 177 km Full Results and Report
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Giro spirit in Albenga to start Stage 2, the first road stage | 
Simon Gerrans, the race leader to start stage 2 | 
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One of the podium favorites, Rigoberto Uran, was in hot demand | 
Rigoberto Uran signing in | 
Astana's Fabio Aru acknowledges the Stage 2 crowd in Albenga | 
Cadel Evans was on hand | 
Winner's of yesterday's TTT, Orica GreenEdge during the teams presentation | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) in Albenga | 
Tom Boonen (Etixx - Quick Step) in Albenga | 
Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) keeping cool on a warm day | 
Gerrans, Matthews and Contador at the front of the start | 
Rollout along the Laigueglia coast | 
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Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) leading the early break up Testico | 
The unclassificed Testico climb early in the race | 
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Race leader Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) descending Testico | 
Coastal shot of the peloton on its way to Genova | 
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Lots of crashes during the first road stage | 
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Dayer Quintana with some bad road rash | 
Tinkoff-Saxo's Manuele Boaro and Ivan Basso lead the peloton in Genova keeping Alberto Contador out of trouble on a day with lots of crashes involving GC contenders | 
Neat old ship in the harbor in Genova | 
Team Sky's Richie Porte, Salvatore Puccio and Elia Viviani | 
Sky's Elia Viviani was patient in the sprint finish. He won Stage 2 after passing 2nd Moreno Hofland (Lotto NL - Jumbo) who had just passed 3rd André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) | 
Finish perspective | 
Elia Viviani (Team Sky) celebrates his first Giro d'Italia win | 
The margin of victory | 
Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale) lost over a minute after being caught up in one of the crashes | 
Your Stage 2 winner, Elia Viviani (Team Sky) | 
Elia Viviani (Team Sky) | 
Like last year, Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) parlayed his team's opening TTT win into a Pink Jersey the next day with his 7th place finish in the sprint today | 
Kisses for Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) | 
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Stage 3: Rapallo → Sestri Levante, 136 km Full Results and Report
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The start scene in Rapallo before Stage 3 | 
Damiano Cunego is on good form and in good spirits racing for his new team Nippo - Vini Fantini | 
Fabio Aru | 
Race leader Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) signing in | 
Alberto Contador amidst the start scene | 
Rollout from Rapallo before Stage 3 | 
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Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) leads the large break up Colle Caprile 25 km into the race | 
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Descending Colle Caprile | 
Matteo Tosatto (Tinkoff - Saxo) at the front of the peloton | 
Gianfranco Zilioli (Androni Giocattoli) leading the break | 
Philippe Gilbert (BMC) was hoping for a successful break... | 
... but Tinkoff-Saxo was chasing all day for the duo purpose of keeping Alberto Contador out of trouble and bringing back the break | 
Descending Barbagelata with 40 km to go | 
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Last break survivor, Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha) | 
Race leader, Michael Matthews wins in Sestri Levante | 
Finish line photo | 
Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) came around Fabio Felline (Trek Factory Racing) for the win in Sestri Levante | 
Stage 3 finish perspective | 
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Your Stage 3 winner, Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) | 
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Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) extended his overall lead | 
Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) celebrates | 
Post race press conference. Q: How did the reality of today’s stage compare with your pre-stage plans?
A: We expected a hard day. We reconned the final 80km of this stage last Wednesday, when we arrived at the Giro d'Italia, and we expected a hard day. We didn't really want such a big breakaway to go, but it worked out well for us because we had two good climbers there, and I had confidence that, if it stayed away, they might do well. If it came back, I knew they'd work for me in the final. It turned out better that we had planned.Q: What are your plans now?
A: Me and my whole team here have really fond memories of the Giro d'Italia last year, when we might have been able to achieve even more. So this year we have all guns blazing and we want to do everything we can. We have riders here for every discipline, and we can achieve a lot with the team we have brought here. We are super confident, and if a stage suits one rider, the rest of the team will work 100% for him. We don't have just one leader, so we can go for all sorts of different types of stage. |
Stage 4: Chiavari → La Spezia, 150 km Full Results and Report
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Start scene in Chiavari | 
Pre-race entertainment | 
After being in yesterday's unsuccessful break, Philippe GILBERT (BMC RACING) took the day off on difficult Stage 4 finishing 48th + 13:15 | 
Morning sign-in | 
Race leader Michael Matthews and the peloton during the Stage 4 rollout from Chiavari on another beautiful day in Italy | 
After a fast start, the main break led by Arnaud Courteille (Fdj) on the cat 3 Colla di Velva | 
Break riders, Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEdge) and Darwin Atapuma (BMC), passing by a great view of the World Heritage Cinque Terre site | 
The second of three cat 3 climbs on a hilly stage. Passo del Termine (8.8 km @ 6.1 %) with 48 km to go | 
The chase group climbing Passo del Termine | 
Close up of the chase group on Passo del Termine. With teammate Roman Kreuziger in the break, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) could follow Astana and Fabio Aru while Richie Porte follows Contador | 
Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) attacked from the break at the base of the cat 3 Biassa climb 13 km from the finish | 
After an attack filled stage, one man at the front of the race with 10 km to go | 
Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) about to solo the 10 km descent and flat run to the finish | 
Dario Cataldo leading Astana and Tinkoff-Saxo past the remnants of the break on the final climb | 
Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) descending in a hurry | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) leading the chase group about 40s back | 
followed by Alberto Contado (Tinkoff-Saxo), Richie Porte (Sky) | 
Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) solos into La Spezia to win Stage 4 with the chase group blurry in the background 22s back | 
After a disappointing start to the season, Cannondale - Garmin has found the winning formolo | 
Amazing first win for the 22 year-old 2nd year Italian pro | 
Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEdge) with the 2nd place salute 22s later | 
He later said he knew he had finished 2nd and that this was his pink jersey celebration... ok | 
Kisses for the fresh faced 22 year-old winner, Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) | 
Davide Formolo (Cannondale - Garmin) | 
New race leader, Simon Clarke, keeps it in the Orica-GreenEdge family | 
Third Orica-GreenEdge rider in four days to wear Pink and keep the run alive |
Stage 5: La Spezia → Abetone, 152 km Full Results and Report
Stage 6: Montecatini Terme → Castiglione della Pescaia, 183 km Full Results and Report
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Matteo Tosatto (Tinkoff-Saxo) celebrated his 41st birthday before Stage 6 in Montecatini Terme | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) getting ready for his first day in Pink | 
Race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) tells Fabio Aru (Astana) that two seconds isn't much of a lead | 
Despite appearances André GREIPEL and his Lotto Soudal team were prepared for today's flat stage | 
Picturesque rollout | 
Marco Bandiera (Androni Giocattoli) leads the main break | 
The peloton | 
Race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) | 
The race passing by a nice villa in the Pisa province | 
Tinkoff-Saxo and Alberto Contador leading the chase through the scenic Pisa region | 
Andre Greipel and Lotto Soudal getting ready for a sprint finish | 
The voices of the Giro calling the race in several languages. Carlton Kirby and Dan Lloyd are 3rd and 4th in the middle | 
The Italian broadcasters | 
Central control where the producer decides what images you see. That's former Giro d'Italia winner, Stefano Garzelli, helping on the production side. | 
30 km to go with multiple images of the break, finish line, peloton etc... | 
Finish line entertainment | 
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Lots of people hanging over the barriers. Maybe the race should invest less in entertainment and more in safety education. | 
Sprint finish in Castiglione della Pescaia | 
André GREIPEL, (LOTTO SOUDAL) wins Stage 6 ahead of 2nd Matteo PELUCCHI (IAM CYCLING) and 3rd Sacha MODOLO (LAMPRE - MERIDA), obscured behind Greipel | 
The margin of victory | 
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Alberto Contador was not able to stop in time behind the sprint finish crash | 
Make room for the stage winner, Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) | 
Your Stage 6 winner, André GREIPEL, (LOTTO SOUDAL) | 
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) was caught behind the sprint finish crash. He injured his shoulder and was unable to don the race leader's jersey. | 
Looks like he injured his knees too. Ice packs. Official Stage 6 medical bulletin; Daniele Colli and Alberto Contador injury updates — rcs |
Stage 7: Grosseto → Fiuggi, 264 km Full Results and Report
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) tells race director Mauro Vegni he'll be starting Stage 7 (or something to that effect) | 
Much to everyone's relief, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) was at the start line for Stage 7 in Grosseto | 
Stage 7 rollout from Grosseto | 
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It was a rolling stage today | 
Spot the water bottle in mid toss | 
Like yesterday, Marco Bandiera (Androni Giocattoli) was leading the main break | 
Tinkoff - Saxo controlling the front of the peloton | 
It was a very slow stage today and at 264 km it was the longest Giro stage in over a decade | 
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Ivan Basso (Tinkoff - Saxo) at the front. Tinkoff-Saxo led the peloton for most of the race before stepping aside for the sprinter teams | 
Three stills from the overhead helicopter show Lampre-Merida leading it out for Sacha Modolo, but it was teammate Diego Ulissi who had the legs for the final punch and not Modolo who was dropped by his lead out man in the center frame | 
After Lampre-Merida provided the lead out for Sacha Modolo, the English and Italian broadcasters called the winner wrong because it was Modolo's teammate Diego Ullisi who in fact surged up the left hand side and took the win ahead of 2nd Juan Jose LOBATO (MOVISTAR) and 3rd Simon GERRANS (ORICA GreenEDGE) | 
Emotional and surprise win for Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) in Fiuggi | 
Lengthy celebration by Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) | 
Your Stage 7 winner, Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida). His first win since returning from a doping suspension. | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) started, finished and donned the leader's jersey today | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo): I've worked too hard to just go home. He admitted today's seven hour stage was painful especially the final three. |
Stage 8: Fiuggi → Campitello Matese, 186 km Full Results and Report
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GC Contenders Alberto Contador and Fabio Aru had to contend with rain at the start of the first mountain in Benevento | 
Alberto Contador looked a lot better today on and off the bike. Even even took time to sign some autographs | 
Richie Porte rolling into Benevento | 
105 km to go: Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) attacks off the break on Forca d'Acero (26 km @ 5% max 9% | 
Benat Intxausti (Movistar) leads the rest of the break on Forca d'Acero | 
Franco Pellizotti (Androni Giocattoli) and the rest of the disintegrating break on Forca d'Acero | 
Alberto Contador following his Tinkoff - Saxo team on Forca d'Acero | 
Carlos Betancur (Ag2r La Mondiale) bridging up to the front of the race on Forca d'Acero | 
Forca d'Acero scenery | 
The peloton nearing the top of the 26 km ascent of Forca d'Acero | 
With a break up the road, Astana's Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa attacked the GC contenders on the cat 1 summit finish to Campitello Matese (13 km, avg 6.9 % max 12 %). Mikel Landa almost caught the winner finishing 2nd + 20s | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) on Campitello Matese | 
All back together except Landa is now up the road; Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) leads Fabio Aru (Astana), Darwin Atapuma (Bmc), Damiano Cunego (Nippo - Vini Fantini) among others on Campitello Matese | 
Another attack by Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
Meanwhile, Benat Intxausti (Movistar) has crested the top before the slight downhill run for the final 800m | 
Benat Intxausti (Movistar) wins the first mountain stage | 
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His GC ambitions were snuffed out in the early stages of this year's Giro, but Benat Intxausti (Movistar) has a stage win as a consolation prize | 
The top 3 GC contenders, Fabio Aru, Alberto Contador and Richie Porte crossed 4th, 5th and 6th + 35s | 
Your Stage 8 winner, Benat Intxausti (Movistar) | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) successfully defended his lead and even gained a 2s bonus mid-race on Fabio Aru | 
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Stage 9: Benevento → San Giorgio del Sannio, 215 km Full Results and Report
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Alberto Contador signing in for Stage 9 in Benevento, the second mountain stage | 
2nd yesterday and photographer today, Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) | 
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The rollout from Benevento | 
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The small peloton approaching the second climb of the hilly, mountainous Stage 9 | 
Cannondale - Garmin Ryder Hesjedal leading the break on the cat 1 Colle Molella 88 km from the finish, setting up an attack by Tom Jelte Slagter | 
Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) in the break | 
20 km to go. Solo attack by Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale - Garmin) descending | 
Simon Geschke (Giant - Alpecin) leading the chase | 
Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale - Garmin) | 
Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale - Garmin) on Passo Serra (3.6 km avg 8 % max 13 %), the final climb | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) attacks the GC group on Passo Serra | 
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Mikel Landa (Tinkoff - Saxo) helping his team leader on Passo Serra | 
Mikel Landa (Team Sky), Fabio Aru (Astana), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), Richie Porte (Team Sky) | 
Mikel Landa (Astana), Fabio Aru (Tinkoff - Saxo), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) desending Passo Serra | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), Richie Porte (Team Sky) descending Passo Serra | 
Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) caught and passed Tom Jelte Slagter on the run into San Giorgio del Sannio | 
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Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) wins Stage 9 | 
Fabio Aru gapped the GC contenders | 
Fabio Aru isn't celebrating 10th, he's celebrating his teammate's win | 
10th Fabio Aru (Astana) + 56s | 
11th Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) + 57s followed by Richie Porte (Sky) | 
Competitors, former teammates and friends, Richie Porte and Alberto Contador | 
Paolo Tiralongo wasn't expecting to win today | 
Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) at age 37 is the oldest Giro stage winner ever | 
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Alberto Contador is doing much better before the first rest day. All smiles and full donning of the Pink Jersey. | 
Alberto Contador takes a 3s lead into the first rest day |
Stage 10: Civitanova Marche → Forlì, 200 km Full Results and Report
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Start scene for Stage 10 in Civitanova Marche | 
Pre-race start festival in progress | 
Race director Mauro Vegni made a controversial decision at the end of today's stage | 
Race leader, Alberto Contador, signing in for Stage 10 | 
Much was expected from Tour de Romandie winner, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha), but he hasn't looked good so far. 49th + 42:32 after today's stage. | 
Richie Porte looks like he's well-rested. We'll see him again later. | 
Michael Matthews and Orica-GreenEdge took an extra rest day today since this wasn't, by their own admission, a stage that suited them | 
Rollout from Civitanova Marche along the Adriatic coast | 
Stage 10 rollout | 
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Today's main break: Alessandro Malaguti (Nippo - Vini Fantini), Oscar Gatto (Androni Giocattoli), Matteo Busato (Southeast),Nicola Boem (Bardiani Csf), Alan Marangoni (Cannondale-Garmin) | 
The all Italian break worked well together before Oscar Gatto (Androni Giocattoli) flatted with 13 km to go | 
Same photo, rotated 90 degrees | 
Lotto Soudal seemed to be the only team interested in bringing back the break | 
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) descending the only categorized climb, the cat 4 Monte di Bartolo with 92 km to go | 
The rest of the peloton descending Monte di Bartolo | 
Too little too late; the finish scene with the race on the big screen indicating 8.8 km to go and Lotto Soudal chasing to erase the break's 1:11 advantage | 
Uh oh, Richie Porte has flatted with just 5 km to go and he's getting a wheel from Orica-GreenEdge's Simon Clarke. It's a nice gesture, but that's a no-no according to UCI rules. Also, does this mean Porte is signing with Orica-GreenEdge next year? | 
Nicola Boem (Bardiani Csf) wins ahead of his three breakmates in Forli | 
2nd Matteo Busato (Southeast Pro Cycling) st, 3rd Alessandro Malaguti (Nippo - Vini Fantini) + 2s | 
In the distance, 4th Alan Marangoni (Cannondale-Garmin) + 4s who's late attack was brought back and he had nothing left | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) finished safety in the peloton | 
The same couldn't be said for Richie Porte (Team Sky) who had a mechancial with 5 km to go and lost a 1:09 to his gc contenders. He also incurred a two minute penalty for receiving a wheel from a non teammate. | 
Italian team Bardiani CSF celebrates | 
Your Stage 10 winner, Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF) | 
Fifth Italian winner in ten days, Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF) | 
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A good day for race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) | 
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Fabio Aru (Astana) is still second and still best young rider |
Stage 11: Forlì → Imola, 153 km Full Results and Report
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Rollout from Forlì for Stage 11 | 
Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r La Mondiale) getting a break started on Monte Trebbio in the first kms | 
Ag2r La Mondiale's Carlos Betancur and Matteo Montaguti leading the break on Monte Casale | 
The peloton on one of the few flat sections on this hilly stage | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) in the break descending Monte Casale. We'll see him again later. | 
The good weather at the Giro broke. BMC chasing in the rain on Tre Monti which the race used four times on this stage | 
Passing through the final line at the Imola race track | 
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Solo attack by Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha) on Tre Monti with 20 km to go | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) on Imola autodromo | 
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Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) crashed today but finished with the pack | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) solos Tre Monti for the fourth and final time | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) wins Stage 11 at Imola autodromo | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) | 
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Tour de Romandie and now Stage 11 Giro winner, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) | 
Race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) looked good again today putting in an attack on the final time up Tre Monti |
Stage 12: Imola → Vicenza, 190 km Full Results and Report
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) keeping cool and dry at the start of Stage 12 in Imola | 
Early on in Stage 12 and not everyone was interested | 
Early break led by Davide Apollonio (Androni Giocattoli) | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) in the peloton | 
Last hour and the reduced peloton | 
27 km to go : The peloton chasing on Crosara, the second last modest categorized climb | 
Crosara climb | 
Tanel Kangert (Astana) leading on Monte Berico in Vicenza with 1 km to go | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) leading the chase on Monte Berico | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) followed by Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) | 
Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida) and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) in the mix | 
Carlos Betancur (Ag2r La Mondiale) | 
Tanel Kangert (Astana) is about to be caught on Monte Berico with just 200m to go | 
Philippe Gilbert (BMC) checks his margin of victory... | 
... through the pouring rain | 
A perfect finish for Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and he comes through with the win | 
The margin of victory over Alberto Contador who gapped some of his rivals and also gained the 6s bonus for 2nd place | 
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Franco Pellizotti (Androni Giocattoli) led for awhile on the final climb but came up short | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) singing in the rain | 
Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) photobombs the BMC celebration | 
Tough day for Fabio Aru who lost 14s to Alberto Contador today | 
Really tough day, actually | 
Your Stage 12 winner, Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) in Vicenza | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) gets ready to don another Pink Jersey this time presented by UCI president Brian Cookson | 
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El Pistolero is looking better as his competitors are starting to falter | 
Perspective on the podium ceremony |
Stage 13: Montecchio Maggiore → Jesolo, 147 km Full Results and Report
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Fabio Aru signing for Stage 13 in Montecchio Maggiore | 
Alberto Contador with encouragement from his fans is ready for a wet day | 
Alberto Contador was gesticulating again with Fabio Aru before the start | 
Today's (small) break Jerome Pineau (Iam), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) and Rick Zabel (BMC) | 
The size of the break and the flatness of this stage meant near certain death for the break | 
Ivan Rovny leading the chase for Tinkoff - Saxo and team/race leader Alberto Contador |
Crash with 3.3 km to go |
Disaster again for Richie Porte before the finish. He and other GC contenders like Alberto Contador were caught behind a crash with 3.3 km to go. | 
The sprint finish in full flight in Jeslo | 
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Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) leads Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) | 
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Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) wins ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) | 
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Another Italian win to celebrate about | 
Finish perspective | 
Stage favorites and winners of previous stages, Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) were at the back of the lead group finishing 14th and 15th | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) was in the next group just 3s back that was without race leader Alberto Contador and Richie Porte | 
Damiano Caruso (Bmc) was in this group and is sitting smartly at 7th overall + 2:12 before the TT | 
Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff - Saxo) and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) missed the crash too | 
Race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) was taken down by the crash with 3.3 km to go and fought to limit his loses which amounted to 40s, costing him the race lead | 
Poor Richie Porte (Team Sky) was caught behind the crash too and finished 2:05 behind Aru | 
Your Stage 13 winner, Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) | 
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New race leader, Fabio Aru (Astana) by 19s over Alberto Contador | 
Apparently, Fabio Arub is the first Sardinian to wear the Pink Jersey at the Giro d'Italia |
Stage 14: Treviso → Valdobbiadene, 59.4 km Full Results and Report
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Start ramp for the long (59 km) Stage 14 ITT | 
Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) set an early best time that held in miserable conditions | 
1st Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) 59.4 km in 1:17:52 | 
Alberto Contador starts his ride | 
Easily the best ride by a GC contender, 3rd Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) + 14s... wearing what looks like Oxfords | 
Strong right to the end. Alberto Contador stops the clock in 1:18:06 at the finish in Valdobbiadene | 
7th Jurgen VAN DEN BROECK (LOTTO SOUDAL) + 1:25 and is now 5th overall + 4:17 | 
13th Leopold Konig (Team Sky) + 1:41 for 10th overall + 5:35 | 
15th Andrey Amador (Movistar) |
The big mover on the day was Costa Rican Andrey Amador (Movistar) who jumped from 9th to 3rd on GC with his 15th place + 1:48 ride | 
16th Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) + 1:58 for 15th overall + 8:05, tops among English-speaking riders | 
Rigoberto URAN probably envisioned a better ride today | 
23rd Rigoberto Uran + 2:45 for 4th overall + 4:14 |
Winner of last year's TT, Rigoberto Urán (EQS) was expected to do better than 23rd + 2:45 | 
Last man, Fabio Aru, getting ready | 
Everyone was a little uncertain of how race leader Fabio Aru (Astana) would perform today | 
29th Fabio Aru (Astana) + 3:01 | 
Despite all his time-trial work, Fabio Aru (Astana) slips out of the Pink Jersey after just one day. Now 2nd overall + 2:28 | 
Another bad day for Richie Porte (Team Sky). 55th + 4:20. He's now thinking of abandoning the Giro. | 
Your Stage 14 ITT winner, Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) | 
He says he feels good and he's looking for a mountain stage win next week | 
Too bad Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) was so far down on GC to start the day. Q: You've won every sort of stage... Would you be a good team leader? A: I've never won a sprint [laughs]. Today is a special win for me because I haven't been able to win a time trial in recent years. As for being a leader, it is difficult to be a leader because, in my view, you are under pressure every day. It's something special. I don't know if I'd want that sort of role: perhaps for a one-week race, but in a race like this, it make special demands. | 
Back in Pink, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) | 
Alberto Contador (Astana) now has a commanding lead of 2:28 over Fabio Aru | 
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Stage 15: Marostica → Madonna di Campiglio, 165 km Full Results and Report
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Alberto Contador signs in for the first high mountain stage of this Giro, Stage 15 starting from Marostica | 
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Marostica start scene | 
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Race leader Alberto Contador is greeted prior to the start in Marostica | 
Jersey leaders call up | 
Rollout from Marostica | 
Franco Pellizotti (Androni Giocattoli) gets the break started on La Fricca, the first of the three categorized climbs, 50 km into Stage 15 | 
Ag2r La Mondiale's Hubert Dupont and Matteo Montaguti in the break | 
Brent Bookwalter (Bmc) leading the break | 
Brent Bookwalter (Bmc) getting a ride from the team car | 
Tinkoff-Saxo leading the chase | 
Last break survivor, Hubert Dupont (Ag2r La Mondiale) at the base of Madonna di Campiglio, the final climb (15.5 km @ 5.9 % max 12 %) | 
Hubert Dupont (Ag2r La Mondiale) | 
The GC group chasing down Hubert Dupont | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) attack the front of the race | 
Alberto Contador attack | 
Astana sandwich with Mikel Lannda at the front | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) and Mikel Landa (Astana) where the strongest riders on the final climb | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) was watched by Mikel Landa (Astana) | 
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Yury Trofimov (Katusha) in the distance would later put in a nice surprise attack on a flat section near the finish and ended up 2nd | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), Mikel Landa, Fabio Aru (Astana) chasing down Yury Trofimov | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) caught passed Yury Trofimov who ended up 2nd + 2s | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) wins the first high mountain stage of this Giro | 
Finish perspective | 
3rd Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) + 5s and 4th Fabio Aru (Astana) + 5s | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) gained more bonus time today and extended his overall lead | 
Your Stage 15 winner, Mikel Landa (Astana) | 
The strongest Astana rider on the mountainous stages so far, is 4th overall Mikel Landa Astana's best chance to beat Alberto Contador? | 
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was a happy man on the podium | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) celebrates his 2:35 lead over Fabio Aru | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) says lets get this party started | 
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Stage 16: Pinzolo → Aprica, 174 km Full Results and Report
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The Italian Alps and the main prize viewed from the Stage 16 start in Pinzolo | 
The view from the other direction | 
Race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) arriving in Pinzolo before a day of lots of climbing and off and on rain | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) greeted by fellow Sardinians. The smile later disappeared when Aru lost more than 2 minutes to Contador and slipped to 3rd on GC | 
The rollout from Pinzolo | 
As solo escpapee Ryder Hesjedal said post race, Tinkoff - Saxo (at the front of the chase on Passo del Tonale) 'annihilated themselves' again for Alberto Contador keeping all breaks in check. Question for Contador Post Race: What do you think of your team today? A: My team-mates were extraordinary. The entire team dropped back and we worked together. My pulse rate on the flat was 180. Ahead, they were riding at full gas to open a gap. When I saw that that Astana were organised ahead, I knew I'd start the Mortirolo with a time deficit. When we started the Mortirolo, we were putting out an incredible number of Watts. My team took control on Day 1 of this Giro d'Italia, and I think people forget it. | 
The front of the race with Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), Mikel Landa (Astana) leading it over Passo Mortirolo with 33 km to go | 
Question for Mikel Landa Post-Race: Did you ever think of attacking along on the Mortirolo? A: To tell you the truth, I had a lot of respect for Aprica. There are sidewinds in the valley, and the gradient isn't very high, so it doesn't really suit me. We tried to force the pace before the Mortirolo to make Alberto suffer so that catching us would cost him energy. After Alberto had caught us, I saw that Aru wasn't strong, they told me to go ahead and try to win the stage. The rest, you know. | 
The lead group passing through the crowd on cat 1 Passo del Mortirolo (11.9 km, avg 10.9 %, max 18 %) | 
Less than a minute back, Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) and Youri Trofimov (Katusha) | 
Andrey Amador (Movistar) passing through color coordinated smoke | 
Fabio Aru's (Astana) GC hopes when up in smoke today | 
Close up: Fabio Aru's day summarized in one photo | 
Fabio Aru on Passo Mortirolo | 
Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), Mikel Landa (Astana) cresting the top of over Passo Mortirolo | 
Mikel Landa's (Astana) winning attack with 4km to go on the Aprica finishing climb | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) had the luxury to follow Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) for the later half of the race | 
Andrey AMADOR (MOVISTAR) and Yury TROFIMOV (KATUSHA) finished 5th and 4th respectively + 2:03 while Ryder HESJEDAL (CANNONDALE - GARMIN) was 6th + 2:10 to move into the top 10 | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) by his lonesome on Aprica | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) stretching out his lead on Aprica | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) and Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) have given up their hopes of a stage win. They finished 38s back of the winner... | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) makes it two (mountainous) stage wins in a row and is the first repeat winner after the race started with fifteen different winners | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) crosses first in Aprica | 
Finish perspective | 
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2nd Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) and 3rd Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) + 38s | 
7th Fabio Aru (Astana) + 2:51 and now 3rd overall + 4:52 | 
Your Stage 16 winner, Mikel Landa (Astana). Q: If you had not had to work for Aru, could you be winning this Giro d'Italia? A: If I'd come as a leader, it's possible I wouldn't have achieved anything at all. You never know. This situation is new for me, what's happened has happened, and we'll see how it ends. | 
Race leader relief | 
He looked in trouble early in the stage, but Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) stood tall at the end | 
It was a tough stage as you can see it in his eyes, but there is nobody tougher than Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo). He stretched his lead out to 4 minutes today. Q: How do you feel about your performance in today's stage? A: I feel proud to have been a protagonist today. It was a very difficult stage. Everything was going perfectly until my puncture on the descent from the Aprica. Basso gave me a wheel but it took time to change and by then I was in a chasing group. I knew that the most probably scenario would be what happened. I'm not going to debate whether it was correct or not. | 
Q: What were you thinking at the foot of the Mortirolo? A: The problem wasn't so much starting the climb behind, but the fact that the previous descent finished 10km before. I knew how hard it would be: I had 45km to go, during which I couldn't afford to have any problems - mechanical problems or crises. On the Mortirolo, I rode at my rhythm. I knew it was a time trial. I couldn't allow myself to lose my calm. After I changed wheels with Basso, I rode the Mortirolo using a gear ratio of 34-30. | 
Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) is the new KOM leader | 
Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo) continues to move up the GC and is now 8th overall + 11:40 |
Stage 17: Tirano → Lugano, 134 km Full Results and Report
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Race leader Alberto Contador signing autographs for his young Italian fans | 
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Alberto Contador officially signing in for Stage 17 in Tirano | 
Australian RR Champ, Heinrich Haussler, was looking to get Iam Cycling on the board today. He finished 4th in the sprint finish. | 
Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) rolling into Tirano. We'll see him again later. | 
Damiano Cunego and his Nippo - Vini Fantini teammates | 
Alberto Contador, Ivan Basso (Tinkoff - Saxo) and Sylvester Szmyd (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) at the start line in Tirano | 
Race and KOM leaders, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) and Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo), keeping cool before the Stage 17 start in Tirano | 
The only modest climb of the day was at the beginning of the stage | 
Taking a work break to enjoy the race | 
Doesn't he know that cycling is the new golf? | 
The peloton tackling the lumpy, twisty shoreline near the finish | 
Entering Switzerland | 
Sprint finish as expected in Lugano (CH). Sacha MODOLO (LAMPRE - MERIDA) wins ahead of Giacomo NIZZOLO (TREK FACTORY RACING) and Luka MEZGEC (GIANT - ALPECIN) | 
The stage winner, Sacha Modolo, said: On paper, the stage looked easy, but in reality it was hard, with a real ramp at 4km to go. I looked around me on the ramp and I saw lots of potential sprinters in difficulty. Perhaps they were more tired than me. Yesterday was very hard but I had good legs today and it was nice and hot - the sort of day I like. Perhaps we could do with one more rider but, after months of hard work, in Max Richeze and Roberto Ferrari I have one of the best lead-out trains going. I'm afraid of no one. | 
Finish perspective | 
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Make room for the winner, Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) | 
Stage 13 and now Stage 17 winner, Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) on stage in Lugano | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) gets another Pink Jersey | 
Alberto Contador Post Race: "In theory it was a transitional stage but it was hard. The road went up and down, and we were riding into a headwind for most of the day. The peloton was very nervous, and it was fast, with the three-man breakaway up the road. So far, something has happened almost every day: a crash, a puncture. I'm very happy because I got through the stage safely and arrived in Lugano, where I live, on my home roads. Yesterday was much more wearing than I would have liked, but I'm one day closer to Milan." |
Former Tinkoff-Saxo directeur sportif Bjarne Riis gives Alberto Contador a big hug | 
Photo op boat ride for stage 17 winner, Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida), on Lake Lugano |
Stage 18: Melide → Verbania, 170 km Full Results and Report
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Race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) signing in for Stage 18 in Melide, Switzerland | 
The rollout from Lake Lugano | 
Leaving Lake Lugano and Switzerland | 
BMC's Philippe Gilbert and Amael Moinard. We'll see Gilbert again later | 
Sylvain Chavanel (Iam) taking a pull in the break | 
Philippe Gilbert (BMC) was dropped from the lead riders on the cat 1 Monte Ologno (10.4 km, avg 9 %, max 13 %) | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) launched off the peloton when Astana was off the back | 
Alberto Contador dropped his chain, but quickly recovered | 
Alberto Contador reaching the top of the cat 1 Monte Ologno (10.4 km, avg 9 %, max 13 %) with a great view overlooking Lago Maggiore. Q: Did you ride flat out on the climb? A: I decided to pace myself because there were many, many kilometres to go to the finish line. They kept me informed of Hesjedal's position. I knew he might be a good ally, but I obviously had to see if he had gained time on the Aru group. As we reached the top of the climb I saw that he was still there, so I decided that the best option was to ride together, I think it was an interesting and intelligent move. | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) attacked on the descent of Monte Ologno | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) with a 40s gap to... | 
Rinaldo NOCENTINI (AG2R LA MONDIALE) leading the chase for the rest of the break | 
Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) joined Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) near the top of Monte Ologno and along with break rider David Villella, the three worked well together ahead of the other GC contenders | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) one minute back | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) struggled again today. The end of this Giro can't come fast enough now. Will he be able to maintain the final podium spot with two mountain stages remaining. | 
Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) "motored" the descent and twisty corners at the front of the race | 
Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) wins solo in Verbania | 
Q: What was the plan before the stage? A: We said this morning that anyone in the team, apart from Caruso, could try to get into the breakaway, because we knew it was a stage when the breakaway might make it all the way to the finish. Everyone had a go and, in the end, we got away with two of us: Moinard and me, which was perfect. | 
Q: Did you know Monte Ologno? A: No, but last night we slept on the other side of the lake and one of the hotel staff said, "Look at that hill: that's tomorrow's climb." From, I don't know how many, maybe 20, kilometres away, it didn't seem so hard, but it turned out to be a very demanding climb. I suffered a lot but I rode at my rhythm, and I knew that, with such a long descent, it would be possible to regain the leaders. I reached them before the foot of the descent. | 
Great finish perspective of the Stage 18 finish in Verbania with gorgeous Lago Maggiore in the background | 
2nd Francesco Manuel Bongiorno (Bardiani Csf) + 47s | 
11th Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) + 6:05, tops among the GC contenders | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) tucked up behind for 12th, 40s ahead of the other GC riders | 
Your Stage 18 winner, Philippe Gilbert (Bmc) | 
Philippe Gilbert said post-race : [Watching TV screen behind podium] "It's the first time I've ever watched the Maglia Rosa finish on TV when I've been in the race! I'm very happy with this second stage win. We rode a great race with Amael Moinard, my team-mate in the breakaway. We worked together. He went with the best climbers in the group, I followed at my own pace, and when I crossed the mountains point with a deficit of 40 seconds, I knew I could get back to them." | 
Authentic podium kisses | 
Alberto Contador wipes his hands after another dust up | 
Q: Were you exacting revenge for what happened on the Mortirolo stage? A: No, today was rather different. We were working at the front because we knew that it was very important to approach the foot of the climb at the head of the peloton, given that there was only space for a maximum of two riders. Behind, you save energy, but there is more danger of gaps opening or crashes. We decided to expend that energy. At the foot of the climb, the team rode hard, seeing that Fabio's face said that he didn't have good legs. In the end it turned out to be a good decision. | 
Q: Yesterday you said you would start thinking about saving energy. A: I knew that there would be moments today when I'd have to ride hard, but it was not a stage like tomorrow's, which has one mountain more, or the Sestriere stage, when there's one mountain more as well. Today, most of it was descending, which helped the situation. It was a big effort, but less than on a day like tomorrow or Saturday. | 
Alberto Contador is looking more and more confident. His lead is now over five minutes. | 
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Stage 19: Gravellona Toce → Cervinia, 236 km Full Results and Report
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Is Alberto Contador getting his bike checked again? | 
The stage 19 rollout from Gravellona Toce | 
Ag2r La Mondiale's Alberto Betancur and Matteo Montaguti in the break on Saint Barthelemy, the 2nd climb with 68 km to go | 
Carlos Betancur and Matteo Montaguti on Saint Barthelemy | 
The peloton on the lower slopes of cat 1 Col Saint Pantaleon (16.5 km, avg 7.2 %, max 12 %) with 30 km to go | 
Col Saint Pantaleon | 
Long solo (unsuccessful) break by Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) seen here on Col Saint Pantaleon | 
Astana chasing on Col Saint Pantaleon | 
Col Saint Pantaleon | 
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28 km to go: Astana descending Col Saint Pantaleon | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) descending Col Saint Pantaleon | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) catches and passes Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale-Garmin) on the final climb, Cervinia (19.2 km, avg 5 %, max 12 %) | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) cheered on by fellow Sardinians | 
He's suffer face isn't aerodynamic | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) stretching out his lead | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) off to the finish at Cervinia | 
Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) had another good day and clawed back more GC time, but he wishes there was another week of racing | 
Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) found his form today too | 
The rest of the GC contenders | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) took it easy today | 
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Andrey Amador (Movistar) lost ground today finishing 12th 2:27 | 
Fabio Aru (Astana) on his way to a stage win. Q: How can you win three days after your bad day at Aprica? A: I have been very tired. I've slept a lot, I've fallen asleep during massages, and in the evening. And I've slept as much as possible. You get up in the morning feeling shattered, but during the race, you are always thinking that kilometre after kilometre, your feelings are improving. | 
After a week of lackluster climbing performances, Fabio Aru (Astana) found his form on the second last mountain stage. Q: What were you thinking in the final 200m? A: All I can tell you is that you saw how I went on the Mortirolo, the ordeal I went through in the final 50km. Well, in the final 7km today I went through much the same. That's what this sport is about. It's a sport based on suffering. It's easy to win when you are feeling good, but it's hard to persevere in difficult moments. I've never pretended that my career has been easy, but I've learned to persevere, to suffer, and today I've got this result. The final 7km of suffering were the same as the final 40 km on the Mortirolo. All sorts of things go through you head, but I have learned not to let them affect me. That ability has helped me on many days here, when I've pedalled more with my head that with my legs. | 
Emphatic winner's celebration by Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
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2nd Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) + 28s | 
3rd Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) + 1:10 | 
4th Tanel Kangert (Astana), 5th Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL - Jumbo), 6th Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo), 7th Mikel Landa (Astana) + 1:18 | 
Redemption. Your Stage 19 winner Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
Fabio Aru (Astana). Q: How does this stage change the Giro d'Italia for you? A: This win has a particular flavour, because it was unexpected after the previous days when I wasn't well. I hung in there. It may seem banal, but I have the quality of never being content with with what I've done so far in a race, and this helped me through. I got through the previous days, I'm very happy. I don't lose my head over a stage win. I want to complete this Giro d'Italia, then recover and start preparing for my next objectives. If I'm still here, it's because the Giro d'Italia is close to my heart. But this win has a special flavour. Last year at Montecampione it was my first win, so it was unique for me, but this one, after what I've been through, and the last few days I've had, makes me particularly happy. | 
A quiet day for Alberto Contador who wasn't concerned with conceding time to Fabio Aru | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) will take a 4:37 lead into the final mountain stage | 
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Stage 20: Saint Vincent → Sestriere, 199 km Full Results and Report
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Alberto Contador acknowledges the crowd before the final mountain stage. Q: What did you think of the support you recieved form the Italian fans? A: For the public, obviously, unqualified thanks for the affection that they have given me. I can say, and it's the truth, that they are the reason that I'm here at the Giro d'Italia. I'm not here to add the Giro d'Italia to my palmares, but for the love that Italy has given me. As for Fabio, what mark can I give him? I can give him ten out of ten. I think that he has been a rider who has had moments of crisis when he has suffered terribly, and he has overcome them to finish 2nd in GC, with 2 stage wins, and the young riders jersey. What more could you ask? | 
Fabio Aru was in good spirits after rebounding yesterday with a stage win | 
Rollout from Saint Vincent | 
Once again Astana had strength in numbers before the final two big climbs. Alberto Contador with only one domestique left. | 
The GC contenders on Colle delle Finestre (18.5 km, avg 9.2 %, max14 %) before the attacks started | 
Fans waiting at the top of Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi (highest point of this year's race) | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) at the front of the race about to be joined by Mikel Landa (Astana) | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) and Mikel Landa (Astana) on the dirt portion of Colle delle Finestre | 
Colle delle Finestre panoramic | 
The dotted line of fans at the top of Colle delle Finestre waiting for Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) and Mikel Landa (Astana) to arrive | 
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) and Mikel Landa (Astana) | 
Followed 20s later by Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin), Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) and Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin), Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) and Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
Mikel Landa (Astana), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) | 
Mikel Landa (Astana), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) | 
35s later Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin), Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) | 
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4s later Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
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Fabio Aru and the crowd at the top | 
Alberto Contador was dropped is already 1:30 back | 
Alberto Contador was using the entire road at times. Q: What happened on the Colle delle Finestre? A: It was a stage during which I had to keep close tabs on my rivals, analyse the situation and I knew that I had a large time cushion, I knew the final part, I knew that I stay calm and not suffer a hunger knock, and luckily I was able to keep the jersey. I was dehydrated. It sounds unlikely because it wasn't excessively hot, but this morning when I got up, I was underweight as a result of such a demanding stage yesterday. I didn't give it much thought, and I drank throughout the stage, but perhaps not as much as I should have, and I think it was a question of dehydration, not of hunger or food. I was never afraid of losing the the Giro d'Italia. Perhaps it was a self-control mechanism, because if you think that you might lose, then you think you have to close the gap in a kilometre, and then you are going to have a really bad crisis. I wanted to stay calm, I didn't want to push more than necessary on the descent. I knew that the important thing was a drop onto a bigger cog to keep a good cadence to the finish, and it went pretty well for me. | 
A great perspective of the climb | 
6 km to go and Tanel Kangert (Astana) Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) are several minutes back on Sestriere | 
Mikel Landa (Astana) driving the pace for Fabio Aru (Astana) at the front of the race on the cat 3 Sestriere (9.2 km, avg 5.4 %, max 9 %) summit finish | 
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Fabio Aru (Astana) attacks on Sestriere with several km to go | 
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Once again, Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) put in another gritty performance, 2nd on the road | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) was almost interfered with by a fan | 
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Fabo Aru (Astana) on his way to consecutive mountain stage wins | 
Back from the dead just several days again, Fabio Aru (Astana) claims another mountain stage win this time at Sestriere | 
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Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) was 2nd to Aru for the second straight day, + 18s today | 
Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin) moved up to 5th overall | 
3rd Rigoberto Uran (Etixx - Quick Step) followed by Mikel Landa (Astana) | 
6th Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) + 2:25 | 
Not his best performance, but he had time to spare as he still won the overall by 2 minutes. | 
Proud Sardinian Fabio Aru | 
Alberto Contador celebrates with his boss Oleg Tinkov | 
Two mountain stage wins, 2nd overall, best young rider, part of the Astana team win... not bad for 24 year old Fabio Aru (Astana) | 
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) knows he's wrapped up the overall win with a ceremonial final stage remaining | 
Q: Was the Giro d'Italia harder than you anticipated? A: The Giro d'Italia has been very, very demanidng. I knew it would be: the uphill finishes haven't had very high gradients, and for that reason some might have had the impression that the Giro wasn't too demanding, but the metres of climbing build up stage after stage, and every stage was high frantic as we chased down breakaways, and that made for a very fast race, and it has been a Giro of a great deal of wear and tear, much more than I would have liked. But when I decided to ride the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, I knew I'd use a lot of energy in the Giro d'Italia. Now it's a moment to start to rest and recover and much as possible, starting tonight, and I'm thinking of being as good as I can be at the Tour. | 
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When you spring champagne as often as Alberto Contador does, you get pretty good at it |
Stage 21: Torino → Milano, 185 km Full Results and Report
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