Contador takes Giro cycling race lead as Polanc wins fifth stage

Race favourite Alberto Contador took the Giro d'Italia's overall leader's pink jersey after Wednesday's fifth stage won by Slovenian Jan Polanc.

Lampre's Polanc, 23 and on only his second major tour, was the survivor of a long breakaway, coming home 1min 31sec ahead of fellow escapee, veteran Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, who just held off the chasing peloton at the summit finish of a gruelling climb of the celebrated Giro mountain at Abetone.

In third, fourth and fifth places came three contenders for the overall standings in Astana's Fabio Aru, who just edged Contador, and Sky's team leader Richie Porte, the trio clocking the same time after numerous counter-attacks up the final punishing climb.
Source: AFP