Phase one complete
Alberto Contador ticked off the first of his major goals for 2015 by claiming victory in the Giro d’Italia today.
The Spaniard’s triumph was sealed after yesterday’s final mountain-top finish in Sestriere, with today’s ceremonial ride into Milan won by a surprise breakaway from Belgian Iljo Klesse.
Contador was the strongest rider throughout the three weeks, beating Italy’s Fabio Aru by a minute and 53 seconds, with Aru’s Astana team-mate Mikel Landa in third.
The Saxo-Tinkoff leader was comfortable on all the early mountain stages, despite injuring his shoulder in a first-week crash, and then dominated the 59km time-trial to open up a big advantage on his rivals.
He struggled over the final days but by then his lead was too great for the Astana duo to retrieve
With his second Maglia Rosa on his back, Contador can now turn his attention to July’s Tour de France as he bids to become the first rider since 1998 to win both races in the same year.
