Intro:

Alberto Contador had his overall lead sliced in half on the penultimate day of the Giro d'Italia although the Spaniard remained on course for the title after the 20th stage.

Script:

Stage 20 of the Giro d'Italia - a gruelling climb - and a certain shakedown of the field lay ahead.

Ilnur Zakarin was in the group of nine that broke very early - he was still there come that punishing climb up the Colle delle Finestre.

The rest of the quick starters had faded away and in their place, the Russian now had the company of Mikel Landa Meana, arguably the best climber in the race.

Behind, the maglia rosa group had fractured.

Alberto Contador was dropped - and struggling.

The climb included 42 hairpin turns along 11 miles, with gradients peaking at 14 per cent.

Contador's closest rival Fabio Aru knew exactly what he was doing.

The winner of stage 19 was mounting a serious challenge.

Landa Meana too is a major threat to the Tinkoff-Saxo rider, and his hold on the jersey.

He and Zakarin though, could not resist Aru's charge.

The Astana rider went on to win in a time of five hours, 12 minutes and 25 seconds.

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada was 18 seconds further back at the end of the 124-mile leg from Saint-Vincent to Sestriere, with Rigoberto Uran third.

Contador came home in sixth, two minutes and 25 seconds back.

And in the overall standings, Contador's lead was cut to two minutes and two seconds over Aru with Meana Landa a further 72 seconds off the pace.
That said, Sunday's 21st and final stage between Torino and Milan is all that stands between Contador and another Grand Tour victory.