Fabio Aru earned a second successive victory today on the mountains of Italy ©AFP/Getty Images

Fabio Aru secured a second successive stage victory today on the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia as Alberto Contador effectively sealed the overall title despite losing ground in the final stages.

Aru, the 24-year-old Astana rider, fought back into second place with victory yesterday but saved his best for today on the gruelling 124-miles leg from Saint-Vincent to Sestriere.

His team mate, third placed Mikel Landa, attacked on the penultimate climb, but after successfully hauling him in Aru launched a break of his own to edge clear and win by 18 seconds from Canada's 2012 Giro winner Ryder Hesjedal.

In an identical top three to yesterday, Quickstep's Rigoberto Uran finished a further six seconds behind in third. 

"It's incredible and I can't believe it still," said Aru after securing a fifth career Grand Tour stage win.

"I've had a few bad days and suffered, but managing to win again is wonderful."

Alberto Contador lost ground today but has virtually guaranteed his overall victory ©AFP/Getty Images
Alberto Contador lost ground today but has virtually guaranteed his overall victory ©AFP/Getty Images

By the time Aru broke clear, Contador was cast well adrift and, for the first time all race, falling behind for physical reasons rather than due to a crash or technical problem.

But, with his lead at over six minutes at the start of the day, Contador only had to avoid falling apart completely, and he managed to lose just 2min 25sec, to ensure he still has a 2:02 lead.

With tomorrow's finale a traditional procession to Milan, Contador is set to win his seventh Grand Tour title as he aims  become the first man since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same year.

"I didn't feel well, probably because of all the accumulated effort, but I knew I had a good advantage in the general classification," Contador said afterwards.

"There was never a moment that I thought the jersey was at risk.

"This Giro is practically won now, there's just tomorrow's stage, so I'm already thinking of my next goal."


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