Alberto Contador defies injury to retain overall lead in Giro d’Italia

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/16/alberto-contador-giro-ditalia

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Alberto Contador’s injured shoulder stood up to a test in the mountains as he retained the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia, while Beñat Intxausti claimed a solo victory at the top of the eighth stage.

Contador, who dislocated his shoulder in a fall on the final sprint of Thursday’s sixth stage, was clearly in pain at times on the 186km (115.6-mile) leg from Fiuggi to Campitello Matese, but he managed to stay in touch on the two categorised ascents, holding on during attacks from his closest challenger, Fabio Aru, on the climb to the finish.

Contador even extended his lead after picking up bonus seconds during an early sprint, moving four seconds ahead of Aru and 22 ahead of Richie Porte.