No one could match Russian cyclist Denis Menchov's burst of speed inside the last mile on the way to winning Stage 5's mountaintop finish at the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday.
Tuesday's stage winner Danilo Di Luca finished right behind Menchov, but an important three seconds ahead of race leader Thomas Lövkvist of Team Columbia, thereby taking over the race lead and the pink jersey.
Americans Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner finished just 9 seconds behind Menchov, solidifying their status in top 10. The Astana teammates are 4th for Leipheimer and 8th for Horner.
The most well-known Astana team member, comeback cyclist Lance Armstrong, failed to hang on to the elite group on the climb to Alpe di Siusi and dropped in the overall standings to 22nd. He commented on Twitter:
“As I thought, it was a tough one. Lost 3 mins which isn't bad considering. Rode my tempo and tried to be consistent.”
He also gave props to Leipheimer and Horner.
Stage 5
Wednesday's race covered about 77 miles from San Martino Di Castrozza to Alpe di Siusi. The route was essentially shaped like a “U” on the race elevation chart — a high altitude start, a long descent, then a 15.5-mile steep climb to the finish.
A seven-man break gained only a 5-minute advantage. By the bottom of the last climb, that margin had narrowed to 3 minutes and was quickly erased on the climb.
Italian cyclist Ivan Basso, chosen early on as the race favorite, pushed the tempo on the climb. Starting the day in 11th place, his efforts put him in 6th place in the overall classification.
After the race, Leipheimer remarked on Twitter that Stage 5 was a good day for Horner and himself:
“Some cards have been shown and we are still in the game. Day by day, so far so good”
Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel posted:
“Levi & Chris were up there w the best. LA rode his pace and lost 3'. Wouldn't have thought this 4 weeks ago.”
Thursday's stage starts in Bressanone/Brixen and ends in Mayrhofen in Austria. The 155-mile stage includes two climbs, but no mountaintop finish.
Top 10
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia – Highroad; 5 seconds behind
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia – Highroad; 36 seconds
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana; 43 seconds
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank; 50 seconds
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas; 1:06
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team; 1:16
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana; 1:17
9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas; 1:27
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne; 1:41
22 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana; 3:34
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