Italy's Franco Pellizotti took a solo victory at the summit of the Blockhaus on Wednesday, while Denis Menchov coolly hung on to the leader's pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia bicycle race.
Second place Danilo Di Luca attacked Menchov with all his power on the 15-mile climb, but Menchov seemed to effortlessly stay on his rival's rear wheel. Stefano Garzelli and Ivan Basso joined that chase group that loosely crossed the finish about 42 seconds behind Pellizotti.
Armstrong attempt
Lance Armstrong attempted to bridge up to Pellizotti soon after he attacked at the bottom of the 15-mile climb, but couldn't quite catch on. He arrived in the second chase group with Carlos Sastre and Levi Leipheimer among others, about 1:50 behind.
Armstrong, who currently sits in 12th place overall, later said that he didn't have the legs to catch Pellizotti, but he was satisfied with his effort:
“.. I feel my condition is improving OK considering I drank beer for 4 years, crashed hard last month, and am an old dog..”
The victory by Pellizotti moves him into 3rd place, 2 minutes behind Menchov. That spot was previously held for one day by Sastre, who drops to 5th.
Who's in charge
The win might also put to rest the controversy as to the leader of Italy's Liquigas team — Basso or Pellizotti. Basso, a pre-race favorite, sits in 4th place overall, 3:28 behind Mencchov.
At about 59 miles, Stage 17 was the shortest of this year's Giro d'Italia. With a couple of small hills early in the stage, the peloton faced 15 miles of unrelenting climbing to the finish line.
Breakaway
An early breakaway of 10 riders that included France's Thomas Voeckler was swallowed up at the base of the climb as Sastre's Cervelo Test team pulled the peloton along. On the climb, however, Sastre was a little late to start.
First Pellizotti, then Armstrong attacked. Sastre could catch Armstrong, but they were soon passed by Garzelli, Menchov, Basso and Di Luca. Di Luca took control of the chase to the summit, although he finished 1 second behind Garzelli in a torturous sprint at the end.
For all his work, Di Luca gained 13 seconds on Menchov, but is still 26 seconds behind.
The leaders
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini, 0.26 behind
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas, 2.00
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas, 3.28
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team, 3.30
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana, 4.32
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia – Highroad, 7.05
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone – Caffe Mokambo, 8.04
More reports and standings at CyclingNews or VeloNews.
Thursday's Stage 18 sees the peloton descend from the mountains for a flattish run into Benevento. It may be a chance for whatever sprinters remain to contest a stage. The stage will be carried live online at Universal Sports.
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