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Giro d'Italia: Contador wins second Italian title

June 1, 2015

Spain's Alberto Contador, who suffered shoulder problems early in the race, has edged out Italian Fabio Aru to win this year's Giro d'Italia. The local rider had won the last two stages to put pressure on Contador.

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Alberto Contador
Image: Getty Images/AFP/L. Benies

Alberto Contador has become the second rider to win three Grand Tour titles twice after securing his second Giro d'Italia win on Sunday.

Chasing the record previously held by Frenchman Bernard Hinault, Contador, who will retire next season, won his first title in 2008 and was stripped of two more Giro titles in 2010 and 2011. The 32-year-old is now the fourth most successful Grand Tour rider.

"It has been a beautiful Giro and a very special experience for me," the Spaniard said.

Team owner Oleg Tinkov with Contador on the way to the last stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia
Team owner Oleg Tinkov with Contador on the way to the last stage of the 98th Giro d'ItaliaImage: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Peri

"I don't know how long it will take to recover," Contador added. "I'm tired and I know it will take time. It has been an emotional Giro for me. I overcame so many difficulties, but at the end I got the maglia rosa (pink jersey)."

If Contador can win the Tour de France this summer, he'll be the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win a double including the Italian tour classic. The Tour de France will begin on July 4, kicking off in the Netherlands.

On the final stage of the Giro d'Italia, Belgian Iljo Keisse finished quickest, beating Luke Durbridge in a bunch sprint at the end.

"It's the biggest win of my career! It's amazing," said Keisse after the race.

rd/al (AP, Reuters)