Team Saxo Bank-SunGard's Alberto Contador maintained his overall Giro d'Italia lead, while Diego Ulissi of Team Lampre won a contentious three-man sprint finish in the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia earlier today.

Italian national champion Giovanni Visconti (Team Farnese Vini) crossed first but was relegated by the race jury to third for pushing Ulissi out of the way with his hand.

Ulissi rode the 228 kilometer/143-mile stage from Feltre to Tirano, which included a major climb over the Tonale pass and a smaller climb over the Aprica pass, in 5 hours, 31 minutes, 51 seconds.

Pablo Lastras Garcia of Spain crossed third but was awarded second place. In Roadcycling.com's opinion Lastras' sprint was ruined because of Visconti's actions forcing Ulissi to the right, thereby preventing Lastras from taking the stage win he deserved today.

Defending the overall classification, Team Saxo Bank-SunGard launched climber Jesus Hernandez in a bold attack and breakaway and thereby passed the responsibility of pacing the peloton to other teams while keeping a close eye on Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Michele Scarponi (Lampre).

Contador remained 4:58 in front of Michele Scarponi in the overall standings, with Vincenzo Nibali 5:45 behind.

Visconti said Ulissi altered his trajectory.

"It's incredible. I screamed at Ulissi ten times," Visconti said. "I nearly wasn't able to stay upright."

Ulissi said, "I was ahead and I just did my own sprint. I didn't do anything wrong."

Watch the unfair sprint in the video section right here on Roadcycling.com.

The 18th stage Thursday is a 94-mile leg from Morbegno to San Pellegrino Terme, featuring one major climb 19 miles from the finish.

The three-week 2011 Giro d'Italia Grand Tour ends Sunday with a 19-mile time trial in Milano.

You'll find complete results and more photos from stage 17 of the Giro here.

Watch daily video highlights from the 2011 Giro d'Italia in the video section here on Roadcycling.com.

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