Contador in front in Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia favourite Alberto Contador surged to his first stage win of the 2011 race on Sunday and took the leader's pink jersey from Pieter Weening.
The three-time Tour de France winner finished the 169-kilometre ninth stage from Messina in four hours 54 minutes eight seconds. Jose Rujano stands second, three seconds behind.
"The plan worked today," Contador said. "We had some doubts, at times, because the race was so slow, but we thought we should try it.
"[Vincenzo] Nibali stayed with me for a while, but I went and managed to hold on for the win. As far as I'm concerned, I don't expect to win every stage as long as I'm close to the winner.
"I felt good today and my legs were good, so I had to try something."
Stefano Garzelli led the chasing pack across the line for third, 50 seconds behind Contador.
In the overall classification, Contador has a 59-second lead over Kanstantsin Sivtsov.
Toronto's Michael Barry was 63rd in Sunday's stage and stands 61st in the overall standings.
Earlier in the week there were some fears as to whether this stage would even go ahead after volcanic activity opened a crater on the east face of Mount Etna — Europe's most active volcano — and sprayed ash down on Catania and the surrounding countryside.
Organizers had to work hard to clear ash and debris off the roads ahead of the stage, but by the start it was clear and large number of supporters lined the roadsides.
Nibali was expected to do well on a stage that started in his home town and he eventually finished fourth.
"He [Contador] was almost impossible to go after," Nibali said. "[Michele] Scarponi tried, but he paid for it.
"We rode steadily and then went hard near the finish, but Contador had already opened a gap."
Contador attacked with about seven kilometres to go. Scarponi waited a few seconds and then caught up with the Spaniard but couldn't stay behind him and fell back to the chasing pack along with Nibali.
Rujano stayed with Contador until the Spaniard attacked again with 1.5 kilometres to go and celebrated with his traditional pistol shot as he crossed the line.
Riders are off Monday before returning to the saddle Tuesday for the 159-kilometre stage from Termoli to Teramo. The 21-stage Giro finishes in Milan on May 29.