Stage 15 - the cream is rising to the top

The strongest riders in the peloton are showing their form, now that the hills have arrived in the 2008 Giro.

The cream is rising to the top of the Giro.

As predicted in this blog before the first rest day more than a week go, Alberto Contador, Riccardo Ricco and Danilo Di Luca fill the top three positions on the General Classification.

The trio is separated by a margin of just 55 seconds.

All three have proven to be the strongest riders in the peloton since the Giro's undulations began in stage 2.

Podcast: video highlights of every stage of the 2008 Giro d'Italia

Contador crossed the line behind Ricco by a handful of seconds in today's stage yet still had enough to claim the overall leadership.

The defeat prompted Contador to admitting that his Italian rival is the stronger of the two.

Is he foxing?

Maybe so but I'd be surprised if the reigning Tour de France champion doesn't "blow Ricco's doors off" in tomorrow tough individual time trial.

having said that, Ricco has impressed in all facets - he can sprint, he can climb, but can he time trial on an uphill course which rises to the roof of the Italian Alps as will be the case in stage 16?

We know Alberto is a master of the race-against-the-clock - just ask Cadel Evans after the pair went toe-to-toe in last year's TdF.

Win, lose or draw Ricco has emerged as the find of the Giro.

In a race which traditionally heralds the birth of legends, the 2008 edition will be remembered for the rise of two Italians.

And while it's certainly too early to describe Ricco and Emanuele Sella in that category, the pair definitely have star qualities and will be around for many years to come - that is certain.

Whether it's on the climbs or the flat roads, their aggression is wonderful to watch as both can do so much damage in such little time.

They race and win with panache!

Can't wait for tomorrow's stage.