Italian Fabio Aru won the 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday as Spain's Alberto Contador moved a step closer to his second triumph on the three-week race.

The Astana rider soloed over the line at the summit finish in Cervinia after 6hr 24min 13sec, with Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, of Cannondale, in second place at nearly 30sec behind.

Contador, the 2008 champion, crossed the line nearly 1min 20sec behind Aru but maintains a comfortable advantage over his closest rivals ahead of Sunday's final stage to Milan.

Aru's win moved the Italian back up to second place to sit 4:37 behind Contador, with Spanish teammate Landa in third at 5:15 but nearly three minutes clear of Movistar rider Andrey Amador, who is at 8:10 in fourth.
Source: AFP