the 2010 giro d'italia saw the lead change hands eight times during the race. spanish rider david arroyo was leading the race as it headed into the final mountain stages of the race. arroyo lost the race lead to ivan basso after the nineteenth stage where he lost over three minutes to basso. basso fended off attacks and performed adequately in the final time trial to secure his second giro d'italia victory. alberto contador returned to the giro in 2011 and was seen as the favorite for the overall victory on what many saw as a very difficult course.