The Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has strengthened his overall lead in the Giro d'Italia with his second stage victory of the race, a 12.7 kilometre uphill time trial.
Contador, the Tour de France champion, won the 16th stage by 34 seconds to extend his overall lead to almost 5 minutes over Italian Michele Scarponi, who was third today.
Contador's major remaining challenges are two summit finishes in the Alps on Friday and Saturday, and a final flat time trial on Sunday through the streets of Milan where the race ends.
Contador won the Giro in 2008.
