Simon Gerrans and the next generation of Orica-GreenEdge riders (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Elia Viviani (Team Sky) wins stage 2 of the 2015 Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Simon Gerrans is all thumbs up (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Elia Viviani (Team Sky) rode a special Pinarello to sign on today (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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maglia rosa Michael Matthews with the Giro d'Italia Lupo Wolfi mascot (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) wins stage 3 of the 2015 Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Davide Formolo (Cannondale Garmin) can't believe he's won a stage in his debut Giro (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Simon Clarke thinks he's won the stage, or his he celebrating his first maglia rosa? (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Simon Clarke in pink after finishing second on stage 4 (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Jan Polanc (Lampre-Merida) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Jan Polanc (Lampre-Merida) is excited to be leading the mountain classification (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador looks back to see what level of damage he's inflicted to find Richie Porte and Fabio Aru bridging across to him (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Alberto Contador and team owner Oleg Tinkov celebrate the pink jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Porte, Contador and Aru on the final climb (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) in the maglia rosa, doing his pistolero salute (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Alberto Contador dislocated his left shoulder twice today (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) wins stage 6 of the GIro d'Italia (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Albeto Contador was unable to pull on the maglia rosa due to his dislocated shoulder (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Doctors tend to Danielle Colli (Nippo Fantani) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) wins stage 7 at the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) talks with race director Mauro Vegni on the start line (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Diego Ulissi celebrates with a Lampre-Merida teammate (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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There was plenty of action at the Tinkoff-Saxo team bus today (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Maglia rosa Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) carefully puts on the pink jersey around his shoulder injury (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Beñat Intxausti (Movistar) wins stage 8 at the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Domenico Pozzovivo sits down with journalists for an interview as he made a return to the race after crashing out earlier in the week (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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At the Giro the riders Fight For Pink (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa (Astana) go on the attack on the stage 8 final climb (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru (Astana) put the GC under pressure with an effort on the climb (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Beñat Intxausti (Movistar) won stage 8 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Richie Porte (Team Sky) on the attack (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) has a clear winning margin (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The photo motorbike showing signs of the crash (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Cannondale-Garmin debrief after the stage (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru sprints to fourth and gains one second on Contador and Porte (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru and Alberto Contador cross paths after the stage (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The white jersey leader Fabio Aru and maglia rosa Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Former teammates Richie Porte and Alberto Contador chatting mid-race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF) wins stage 10 at the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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An iPhone version of the podium shot (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Richie Porte gave a tour of his motorhome on the firs rest day of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The official decision of the race jury regarding Richie Porte's time penalty (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Simon Clarke helps Richie Porte with a wheel change (Image credit: C)
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Simon Clarke provides Richie Porte with help at the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The UCI rules that cost Porte two minutes (Image credit: UCI)
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Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) finishes in front of the big screen in Imola (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Murilo Fischer (FDJ) paid tribute to Ayrton Senna today with a custom helmet as the Giro finished on the Imola track where Senna was tragically killed in an accident 21 years ago (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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The pink jersey of Alberto Contador moments before being presented to the 2008 winner of the race (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Fans lay wreaths at the Tamburello corner in remembrance of Ayrton Senna who died at the race track in 1994 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Philippe Gilbert (BMC) takes the stage 12 victory at the Giro d'Italia
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Alberto Contador sprays the prosecco for the first time on the podium today (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The break heads towards the black skies of Vincenza (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Rigoberto Uran looking thoroughly soaked after the stage (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Philippe Gilbert (BMC) about to launch the stage winning move (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The classics-like weather didn't hurt the Belgian Gilbert. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Sacha Modolo (Lampre - Merida) wins stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Richie Porte at the Team Sky bus after losing more today following a late crash (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru (Astana) in pink (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Sacha Modolo soaks himself with victory champagne. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The Giro trophy awaits its newest recipient on May 31 in Milan. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) moved back into the overall lead at the Giro d'Italia in the stage 14 time trial
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IAM Cycling had a custom Cuore Ferrari for the time trial today (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru in the pink jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Adam Hansen blows a bubble before starting his time trial (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Colombian champion Rigoberto Uran (Etixx-Quick Step) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru gets ready to start the time trial in the pink jersey (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Richie Porte (Team Sky) had an off day in the time trial (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Mikel Landa Meana (Astana Pro Team) victory salute atop the Madonna di Campiglio
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Fabio Aru (Astana) gives nothing away as Alberto Contador tries to read his face (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Richie Porte (Team Sky) was dropped on the Passo Daone (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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A fan tries to help out Igor Anton after he crashed (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Mikel Landa makes it two (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Mikel Landa distances his companions (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Fabio Aru struggles on the Mortirolo (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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And then there were three (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The podium for stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) takes his second win of the 2015 Giro d'Italia. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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A hug for Alberto Contador and Bjarne Riis after the stage (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Yes! Alberto Contador celebrates another day in pink in his adopted home town of Lugano (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) lets us know that makes two stage wins so far this Giro. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Philippe Gilbert celebrates his second stage win of the 2015 Giro d'Italia. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Astana's Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa lost more time to Contador during stage 18. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Contador on his way to the stage finish. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale-Garmin) was the only rider capable of catching Alberto Contador (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador on the stage 18 podium. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Lampre-Merida's three stage winners, Jan Polanc, Sacha Modolo and Diego Ulissi all together in the team bus (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Mauricio Soler with Alberto Contador on the stage line (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Fabio Aru (Astana) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru (Astana) stands on the stage 19 podium as the winner on the day
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Fabio Aru (Astana) on the attack (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) celebrates on the Giro podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Fabio Aru at the stage 20 finish line. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Aru digs deep on the dirt climb. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador shows his relief after stage 20. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Alberto Contador rounds a corner on the dirt track. (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The final climb to Sestriere. (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Aru about to catch Hesjedal and Uran. (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team (Image credit: Sirotti)
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The group of favourites (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Mario Cipollini greets Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) at the start. (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Alberto Contador kisses the 2015 Giro d'Italia trophy.
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Alberto Contador and Fabio Aru have a chat (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek) celebrates his red jersey (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The top three get into the podium antics (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Iljo Keisse wins the final Giro d'Italia stage ahead of Luke Durbridge.
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Oleg Tinkov celebrates with his team.
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The jersey wearers (Image credit: Courtesy of Polartec-Kometa)
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Oleg Tinkov went for pink hair on the final stage (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Race director Mauro Vegni joins in the celebrations (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Oleg TInkov takes a sip of the local produce (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek) surrounded by red confetti (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Philippe Gilbert (BMC) with his Trofeo Bonacossa prize (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Stage winner Iljo Keisse (Etixx-QuickStep) with overall winner Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
The 98th Giro d'Italia has been raced and won with Alberto Contador emerging victorious despite crashing and dislocating his shoulder at the end of stage 6. The Tinkoff-Saxo rider saw off challenges from the Astana duo Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa in the third week having seen Richie Porte (Team Sky) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale) withdraw due to injury.
The first week of the 2015 Giro witnessed the emergence of young riders such as stage winners Davide Formolo and Jan Polanc, crashes caused by spectators and aggressive race tactics from Astana although it was Contador in pink at the first rest day. The second week of the race saw more jostling for the pink jersey with the stage 14 time trial to Valdobbiadene ending the overall hopes of several riders as Contador put in an impressive effort to distance the likes of Aru and Porte. Stage 16 is a day likely to go down in Giro history for Contador's ride up the Mortirolo, described by Robert Millar as one of "biblical proportions", as Aru cracked and the Spaniard put a down payment on the pink jersey.
The final days of the race saw Sacha Modolo and Philippe Gilbert claim their second wins of the race before the resurgent Aru as he won back-to-back mountains stages but it wasn't enough to unsettle Contador with his winning margin a comfortable 1:53 minutes.
Relive the Giro through our gallery of the race with all the highlights from San Lorenzo al Mare to Milan over 21 engrossing stages.
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