The peloton dawdles through the town of Lovere on Lago di Lovere after 20-kilometres...

There

Julio Perez Cuapio has attacked on the lower slopes of the Passo di Gavia...

Perez Cuapio has no-one with him as he settles into the ascent...

Antonio Colom is chasing for Astana - he has Baliani with him...

The Passo di Gavia is almost dry, but clouds spoil the mountainous backdrop...

Maxim Iglinsky leads a 30-man group towards the summit of the Gavia - Perez Cuapio is two minutes in front...

Perez Cuapio, Baliani and Colom are together after the long descent and racing towards the Mortirolo with a three-minute lead...

Baliani and Colom start the Passo di Mortirolo - Colom will go on to cross the summit alone...

Danilo Di Luca looks determined as the peloton starts to climb - but he

Emmanuele Sella tries to sort the race out a little...

Riccardo Ricco looks set to make his own move soon - he

Ricco accelerates with four-kilometres of climbing left - but gets no-where...

Ricco, Menchov, Sella, Contador, Rodriguez and Pozzivivo look happy to cross the Mortirolo as one group...

Di Luca descends crazily to try and catch the Maglia Rosa - he

Colom has waited for Contador after the descent - the two Spaniards are in a great position to safeguard the race-lead...

Ricco, Bruseghin and Menchov maintain a high pace to keep Di Luca out of that third-place overall...

Sella has attacked with 25-kilometres to go...

Gilberto Simoni has gone off in pursuit, but left it to late...

Contador looks to be smiling on the final descent of this Giro d

Emmanuele Sella celebrates his third stage-win in this Giro...

Alberto Contador is just one day away from a remarkable victory - but it