Intro:

Lampre-Merida rider Diego Ulissi wins Sstage seven - and Alberto Contador battles through the pain barrier to hold on to his overall lead - in the Giro d'Italia on Friday (15th May)

Script:

Diego Ulissi sprinted to a surprising victory at the end of the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday, while Alberto Contador remained in the overall lead after deciding to continue despite dislocating his shoulder the previous day.

Ulissi was overcome with emotion, collapsing on the ground after holding off other more recognised sprinters on the uphill finish to the 264-kilometre seventh stage from Grosseto to Fiuggi.

Juan Lobato was second, just ahead of Simon Gerrans.

Ulissi had only recently returned from a suspension after testing positive for banned substance salbutamol during last year's Giro.

Contador was injured in a crash on the final sprint of Thursday's stage - but rode through the pain to retain the overall lead.

The Spaniard suffered the injury in a big crash in the frantic finish, but still managed to make the start line just 24 hours later.

The Tinkoff-Saxo racer, who crashed out of the 2014 Tour de France before returning to win the Vuelta a Espana, finished the stage in the bunch and now holds a marginal lead over Astana rider Fabio Aru in the classification.

Saturday's eighth stage is the 186-kilometre ride from Fiuggi to Campitello Matese that will certainly test Contador's injured shoulder given it has two second-category climbs.