Contador takes control of Giro

Mount Etna - Alberto Contador moved into the overall lead of the Giro d'Italia with a solo stage win from Messina to the mountaintop finish of Mount Etna on Sunday.

The Spanish Saxo Bank rider broke away seven km's from the finish of the ninth stage for his first win of the race, shaking off Venezuela's Jose Rujano 1.5 km's from the summit.

Rujano took second place behind Contador, with Italy's Stefano Garzelli leading in a small group of chasers for third, around 50 seconds back.

The winner of the 2008 Giro d'Italia, Contador now leads overall by around a minute.

Stage Results:

1. Alberto Contador (Spain / Saxo Bank) 4hrs 54mins 08secs
2. Jose Rujano (Venezuela / Androni Giocattoli) +3"
3. Stefano Garzelli (Italy / Acqua & Sapone) +50"
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas)
5. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Astana)
6. David Arroyo (Spain / Movistar)
7. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Belarus / HTC - Highroad)
8. Igor Anton (Spain / Euskaltel) +59"
9. John Gadret (France / AG2R) +1:07"
10. Hubert Dupont (France / AG2R)

Overall Standings:

1. Alberto Contador (Spain / Saxo Bank) 33hrs 03mins 51secs
2. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Belarus / HTC - Highroad) +59"
3. Christophe Le Mevel (France / Garmin) +1:19"
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas) +1:21"
5. Michele Scarponi (Italy / Lampre) +1:28"
6. David Arroyo (Spain / Movistar) +1:37"
7. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Astana) +1:41"
8. Jose Serpa (Colombia / Androni Giocattoli) +1:47"
9. Dario Cataldo (Italy / Quick-Step) +2:21"
10. Matteo Carrara (Italy / Vacansoleil)