Scotland's Millar wins race against clock on final stage
Alberto Contador sealed a second Giro d'Italia title as Britain's David Millar won the final time trial in Milan.
Garmin-Cervélo rider Millar was out relatively early but his time of 30 minutes and 13 seconds for the 26 kilometres course proved beyond the rest of the field. Alex Rasmussen (HTC-Highroad) came closest but had to settle for sceond place, seven seconds behind.
"I'm delighted," said Millar. "It has taken me thousands of kilometres to get here and I'm very happy with this win."
But the day - and the race - belonged to Saxo Bank Sungard's Contador and for a moment it looked as if he was going to finish in perfect style as he was a second up on Millar at the first intermediate time check.
However he was down to third at the second checkpoint and that was where he remained, 36 seconds back, as he crossed the line in celebration and waving to the crowd.
It was Contador's sixth Grand Tour success, with three Tour de France and one Vuelta a España also on his palmarès.
The Spaniard controlled the race from the moment he surged away from the field to win stage nine on Mount Etna and take over the leader's maglia rosa. He also triumphed on stage 16 and ended the three-week event six minutes and 10 seconds ahead of Lampre's Michele Scarponi, with Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali a further 46 seconds back in third.
To underline his dominance Contador also walked off with the points jersey and finished second in the mountains classification behind Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone).
"It has been an incredible end to the Giro," said Contador. "It is a dream finish with so many people in the square.
"The result has been good and as a cyclist sometimes you have good moments in your career and other times you don't.
"I've had great moments here and I'm very happy."
