Italy's Vincenzo Nibali defends Tirreno-Adriatico cycling crown

ITALY'S Vincenzo Nibali has successfully defended his Tirreno-Adriatico crown, holding off the challenge of Britain's Chris Froome.

Vincenzo-Nibali

ITALY'S Vincenzo Nibali has become the first rider in more than 20 years to successfully defend his Tirreno-Adriatico crown, holding off the challenge of Britain's Chris Froome.

The Italian is the first rider to defend his crown in the Tirreno since Swiss Tony Rominger in 1989-1990.

Froome had started the day 34 seconds behind his rival and Nibali was able to hold him off to take the overall win following a 9.2km time-trial around San Benedetto del Tronto on Italy's eastern Adriatic coast.

Nibali came in 12th on the day with German racer Tony Martin of Omega Pharma winning the time-trial. Spanish Saxo Bank rider Alberto Contador - with Froome another contender for this year's Tour de France - was third overall at 52 seconds.

"I am really happy with this repeat victory as it is very valuable (given it was achieved) against renowned adversaries such as Contador, Froome and (Joaquin) Rodriguez," said 28-year-old Nibali, who gave up 26 seconds on the day to time trial world champion Tony Martin.

This latest success underlines his status as a favourite for the Tour of Italy, where he will be up against, among others, Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins.

STAGE

1. Tony Martin (GER/OPQ) 10min25sec

2. Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM) 6

3. Andrey Amador (CRC/MOV) 10

4. Fabian Cancellara (SUI/RLT) 12

5. Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP/MOV) 14

6. Chris Froome (ENG/SKY) 15

7. Hayden Roulston (NZL/RLT) 20

8. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/OPQ) 21

9. Dario Cataldo (ITA/SKY) 23

10. Alex Dowsett (ENG/MOV) same time

11. Tom Dumoulin (NED/ARG) 24

12. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 26

13. Jens Mouris (NED/OGE) 27

14. Stijn Devolder (BEL/RLT) 29

15. Kristjan Koren (SLO/CAN) s.t.

16. Rohan Dennis (AUS/GRS) 30

17. Alberto Contador (ESP/TST) s.t.

18. Benat Intxausti (ESP/MOV) 31

19. Jan Barta (CZE/TNE) s.t.

20. Manuel Quinziato (ITA/BMC) 32

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 28hr8min17sec

2. Chris Froome (ENG/SKY) 23

3. Alberto Contador (ESP/TST) 52

4. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/OPQ) 53

5. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 54

6. Chris Horner (USA/RLT) 1:21

7. Mauro Santambrogio (ITA/VIN) 2:03

8. Andrey Amador (CRC/MOV) 2:42

9. Przemyslaw Niemiec (POL/LAM) 3:19

10. Wout Poels (NED/VCD) 3:35

11. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ALM) 3:38

12. Sergio Henao (COL/SKY) 3:48

13. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/TST) 3:55

14. Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP/MOV) 4:38

15. Daniel Moreno (ESP/KAT) 5:12

16. Matteo Rabottini (ITA/VIN) 5:38

17. Juan Jose Cobo (ESP/MOV) 5:54

18. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 6:49

19. Damiano Caruso (ITA/CAN) 7:41

20. Daniel Martin (IRL/GRS) 7:54