The Spaniard clocked 28 minutes, 55 seconds over the 12.7-kilometer (7.9-mile) 16th stage from Belluno to Nevegal.

It was Contador's second victory in this year's race and he dedicated it to fellow Spanish rider Xavier Tondo, who died in an accident Monday after he was crushed between his car and a garage door in southern Spain.

Contador pointed a finger to the sky during the post-stage award ceremony.

“I really wanted to win today,” the three-time Tour de France winner said. “He was a good friend and this victory is for him.” Italians Vincenzo Nibali and Michele Scarponi finished second and third, 34 and 38 seconds behind, respectively.

There was a minute's silence observed before the first rider started to honor Tondo, and Nibali recalled riding against the Spaniard en route to winning last year's Spanish Vuelta.

“Tondo was one of my rivals at the Vuelta,” Nibali said.

“He was somebody you could joke around with and beyond being a rival he was also a friend.” The opening 5 kilometers (3 miles) of Tuesday's stage were fairly flat, the road then tilted uphill significantly, with the final 4.5 kilometer (2.8 miles) at an average gradient of 10 percent, with a maximum of 14 percent.

Nibali led at the midway point, but Contador accelerated on the uphill section.

“Contador was really a Martian today,” Nibali said. “I thought I had a really great performance. ... But I'm second behind Alberto Contador, so I'm more than pleased.” In the overall standings, Contador now leads Scarponi by 4 minutes, 58 seconds, with Nibali 5:45 back.

Stage 17 on Wednesday is a 230-kilometer (143-mile) leg from Feltre to Tirano, including a major climb over the Tonale pass and a smaller climb over the Aprica pass.

The three-week race ends Sunday in Milan.