Italian Riccardo Ricco has refused to concede defeat in the Giro d'Italia.

Ricco, 41 seconds behind Spain's Alberto Contador in the overall standings, said he was convinced he could gain time on the 2007 Tour de France winner in the two remaining mountain stages on Friday and Saturday, ahead of the final time trial on Sunday.

"I still believe I can win this Giro d'Italia. I believe it with all my heart but also with my head," the 24-year-old Saunier Duval rider said.

"I'm 41 seconds behind Contador but there are still lots of opportunities to pull back time," he said.

"There's the climb of the Mortirolo during stage 20 and especially the mountain top finish at Monte Pora on stage 19.

"I'm going to give it everything on those last two mountain stages and then we'll see how things stand."

Ricco lost one minute and 56 seconds to Contador in the stage-10 individual time trial from Pesaro to Urbino but has pulled back precious seconds in the mountain stages.

He believes he can win the Giro if he starts the final stage 28.5-km time trial to Milan as race leader.

"If I start the final time trial wearing the leader's pink jersey, Contador would have to ride the time trial of his life to take it off me. I'll be giving it one thousand percent," he said.

"A lot of people are saying I'll need a two-minute advantage on Contador before the time trial if I want to win but even with less of an advantage I think I've got a chance."

Reuters