Alberto Contador’s incredible Vuelta a Espana continued as the Spaniard took the stage honours on La Farropana to strengthen his grip on the red jersey ahead of the final rest day.

Contador beat Chris Froome (Team Sky), himself in resurgent form after crashing out of the Tour de France, as fans were treated to the long-awaited battle between the two.

Froome, too, strengthened his hopes of a podium place and closed in on second place overall, but the day belonged to El Pistolero, who continues to defy the odds just eight weeks after suffering a broken leg at the Tour.

And photographer Stefano Sirotti was on hand to capture the action. Relive the stage in the full-width gallery below.