Vinokourov back in leader's pink jersey

Australia's Cadel Evans won a gruelling seventh stage of the Tour of Italy over 222km from Carrara to Montalcino yesterday as Alexandre Vinokourov regained possession of the race leader's pink jersey.

Evans's hopes of going on to battle for overall victory appeared dead and buried as early as the fourth stage following his BMC team's disastrous performance in the team time trial.

However, in grim weather the former two-time runner-up in the Tour de France produced the kind of gutsy ride that won him the world champion's jersey in Mendrisio last year before dominating Italian Damiano Cunego, of Lampre, and Astana's Vinokourov in a tough uphill sprint finish.

Vinokourov led the race for a day following stage three, and now leads Evans, in second, by 1 minute 12 seconds overall with Briton David Millar, of Garmin, in third at 1:29.

Overnight leader Vincenzo Nibali, of Liquigas, lost more than two minutes after a crash just over 30km from home saw him lose touch with the leaders.