With the overall leaders of the Giro d'Italia more concerned about scoring a couple of seconds on each other, Russian cyclist Vasil Kiryienka was able to win the final summit finish of this year's bike race.
The Movistar cyclist was part of a 13-man breakaway that splintered apart on the steep slopes and 45 switchbacks of Category 1 Colle delle Finestre.
The 29-year-old survived the rest of the bike race alone, passing over Finestre and finishing at Sestriere nearly 5 minutes ahead of the nearest chasers, Jose Rujano (Androni Giocattoli) and Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha).
Overall leader Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) finished another minute back, still holding a commanding 5:18 lead over Michele Scarponi (Lampre). Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) once again suffered on the climbs, loosing another 22 seconds in his bid to take No. 2.
Nabali will have to make up his 54-second gap behind Scarponi at Sunday's 31.5km (19.5-mile) individual time trial in Milan. With Contador's 5-minute-plus lead, that's essentially the only contest remaining.
Italy's Stefano Garzelli (Acqua and Sapone) still holds the mountains jersey; Contador leads the points competition.
Top 5 overall
1. Alberto Conador (Saxo Bank)
2. Michele Scarponi (Lampre) – 5:18
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) – 6:14
4. John Gadret (AG2R) – 7:49
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) – 9:27
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