Giro d’Italia favourite Alberto Contador surged to his first stage win of the 2011 race yesterday and took the leader’s pink jersey from Pieter Weening.

The three-time Tour de France winner finished the 169-kilometer ninth stage from Messina in four hours, 54 minutes and eight seconds, with Jose Rujano second three seconds behind.

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.

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.

Organisers 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.

Contador attacked with about seven kilometers 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 kilometers to go and celebrated with his traditional pistol shot as he crossed the line.

Today riders have a rest day before they return to the saddle tomorrow for the 159-kilometre stage from Termoli to Teramo. The 21-stage Giro finishes in Milan on 29 May.