Today's stage: A short, steep mountain time-trial
Who won the stage? Overall leader Alberto Contador won the stage by 34 seconds. The 34 second gap was the largest between any two riders except the last two finishers.
What matters in the GC race? Other than Contador confirming his dominance again, third overall Vincenzo Nibali was second and second overall Michele Scarponi was third. Both look solid for the podium in Milan on Sunday and both are most likely the only ones who can keep Contador's winning advantage under 10 minutes.
Biggest surprise: The sheer margin from Contador. He is obviously the strongest man and could possibly win a few more stages this wee and the time-trial. I had expected someone to match him or at least come close in a time-trial where Contador was unable to see his rivals on the road.
Biggest disappointment: Nothing still out of Denis Menchov. Menchov won the Giro in 2009 (without Contador in the race) and has three Grand Tour victories to his credit, but he has not even looked like much of a contender at all despite his standing in seventh place.
Other items of note: Many of the main flat time-trial specialists were happy to see this stage and were using it as training for the time-trial to finish the race on Sunday in Milan. Team Radioshack (Armstrong's former team) had their hotel raided by Italian authorities looking for doping paraphanelia. Nothing was found.
What is coming tomorrow? A lighter climbing day followed by a big technical descent. Paging Vincenzo Nibali. Nibali has said he is racing for the win and not second place. He won't win, but this is a chance to back up what he has been saying on a course that suits him.
Any GC changes tomorrow? Nothing significant. Nibali could get his stage win. That is about it. Only a crash on the descent at the end has any chance to change anything.
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