Thibaut Pinot won the penultimate stage of the race ©Getty Images

Colombia’s Nario Quintana will hold a slender lead heading into the final stage of the centenary edition of the Giro d’Italia after gaining more time on Tom Dumoulin today.

The Movistar rider began the penultimate stage, a 190 kilometre trek from Pordenone to Asiago, with a 38-second advantage over Dumoulin.

With the Dutchman a specialist in the time trial discipline, Quintana was aware of the need to extended the advantage prior to tomorrow’s effort against the clock in Milan.

Quintana and fellow general classification contenders Thibaut Pinot of France and Italy’s defending champion Vincenzo Nibali joined the Colombian in attacking on the two climbs today.

While the trio pressed on in a group of around 20 riders, Dumoulin was able to limit his losses as the race headed towards its conclusion.

Having caught and passed the day’s breakaway, the Quintana’s group continued to increase the pace as they looked to gain vital seconds on Dumoulin.

Pinot would ultimately secure the stage victory in Asiago, with the FDJ rider ending in a time of 4 hours, 57min and 58sec.

He was followed across the line by Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin and Nibali, while Italy’s Domenico Pozzovivo and Quintana would both receive the same time.

Dumoulin crossed in a group just 15sec back, which could prove crucial heading into the time trial.

Nario Quintana will hold a narrow advantage heading into tomorrow's time trial ©Getty Images
Nario Quintana will hold a narrow advantage heading into tomorrow's time trial ©Getty Images

“I wanted to gain more time and the riders who were with me had the same intention so gave their all as well,” said Quintana.

“The gap I've now got over Tom Dumoulin is not enough but it might be the right one as it’s important to keep strength and motivation.

“I’ve done some good time trials in the past and I hope tomorrow’s will be even better.

“It’s unusual to defend the Maglia Rosa on the last day but I’ll give my best.

“I’m not afraid of the closing time trial: my head says I can win or lose so everything is possible.

“I’m also not considering that I might not be on the final podium – my only intention is to win the Giro.”

Quintana leads the race by 39sec from Nibali, who has moved up into second place in the standings.

Pinot is a further 4sec back, while Dumoulin has dropped to fourth with a deficit of 53sec heading into the final stage.

The 29.3km time trial from the Monza Formula One course to Milan bring the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race to a close.