Having moved back into the red jersey of overall leader the previous day, with an equally determined climb on the Alto del Naranco, the battle between veteran Chris Horner (Radioshack-Leopard) and second-placed Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) reached its climax on the punishing ascent of the Angliru.

Both riders remained neck-and-neck during one of the toughest stages in cycling, with Nibali attempting a number of attacks as they hit the wall-like ramps of the Angliru.

Horner repeatedly chased down the Italian, however, even as two of Nibali’s team mates – Jacob Fuglsang and Paolo Tiralongo – joined their leader in a bid to shake off the American.

The 41-year-old, already the oldest man to have won stages and worn the leader’s jersey at a Grand Tour, would not be beaten, however, and struck his own decisive blow with 1.5km remaining.

Cutting through the fog, Horner passed under the flamme rouge alone, and with Nibali having picked up time bonuses on the climb quickly built himself a small but significant lead.

And with his seemingly effortless pedal strokes showing no signs of slowing despite the fierce gradient of the climb, Horner finished 28 seconds ahead of Nibali, second only to Frenchman Kenny Elissonde on the day, to all-but-seal overall victory.