Astana Pro Team rider Vincenzo Nibali attacked his way into the leader's blue jersey on Monday at Tirreno-Adriatico, successfully riding into the overall lead on a 209 km hilly circuit along the Adriatic coast.

Speaking after the stage, Nibali, last year’s winner of the race, said the stage was one of the hardest days of the year so far.

"Harder than San Luis, harder than Oman - take yesterday's stage here and add today's and we have the two hardest days of the 2013 season in Tirreno-Adriatico," Nibali proclaimed on the Astana website.

30 % gradient

In two extended circuits that included climbs into narrow and cobblestoned village streets at times as steep as 30 %, the Italian rider known as 'Squalo' - The Shark – stayed close to the front of a peloton that diminished to just a select handful at the end of the day.

"When it started to rain I was grateful, because I'm a better rider in the wet and cold weather, and I knew that the course was too tough for open team tactics. It was the kind of day that came down to being in the right place at the right time and making the attack," Nibali said.

On the third and final circuit, an abbreviated version of the first two with a longer climb before returning to the 30 % steep grade, Nibali attacked to drop blue jersey leader Chris Froome (Sky) and build a one-minute advantage.

Stage winner Peter Sagan (Cannondale) held on to Nibali's wheel on the final ascent into Sant'Elpidio, and Sunday's stage winner Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) joined the two in the final 10 km on a treacherous, technical descent made dangerous and decisive by a cold, drizzling rain that sent many riders home, and a few off their bikes to walk up the steepest sections.

Nibali enjoys a 34-seconds lead over Chris Froome heading into the final and all-decisive time trial on the last stage, and he is well aware that he still has his work cut out for him, "Tomorrow is a 9 km time trial, and I will wear the blue jersey and defend it to the finish. We took the lead today, but we still have work to do tomorrow," Nibali said.