The 2009 Giro d'Italia is nearly over. Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) pulled back another eight seconds on Denis Menchov (Rabobank) but he never had the Russian on the ropes on the twisting climb up the slopes of Mount Vesuvius during today's stage 19.
Di Luca finished third and took an eight second time bonus. He is now just a tantalizing 18 seconds behind Menchov but has little chance of gaining time on Saturday’s stage to Anagni or in Sunday’s 14.4km time trial in the centre of Rome.
However, Di Luca refuses to accept defeat and Menchov refused to admit that he had sealed victory in the Giro.
“I put him in trouble, but I was also in trouble. I was at my limit and so was Menchov, so we were about equal,” Di Luca said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“For sure I’ll give it everything, right through to the time trial. Menchov has an advantage, but we can’t say who’s won until the end of the Giro.”
Menchov confirmed that Di Luca has not yet conceded defeat and refused to say he had won the Giro.
“Until I cross the finish line of the Giro in Rome, I can’t say the Giro is over. We are still very close. This Giro is coming down to seconds. It’s better to be ahead than behind and he has to still take time on me,” Menchov said in the post stage press conference.
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“However, I can be satisfied, my legs responded when they had to, and I was with Di Luca when I needed to be. Sure, I would have liked to have won those eight seconds instead of losing them but it was important that I didn’t lose any big chunks of time.”
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Giro d'Italia 2009 links
Stage reports
Stage 19: Sastre takes second Giro mountain stage; Menchov safe in pink
Stage 18: Second Giro stage win for Scarponi
Stage 17: Pellizotti wins on Blockhaus, Menchov remains in pink
Giro rest day review (May 26)
Stage 16: Sastre wins stage to Monte Petrano
Stage 15: Bertagnolli gifted stage win by Cervelo mix-up
Stage 14: Gerrans solos to win
Stage 13: Cavendish takes his third Giro win and prepares to head home
Stage 12: Menchov storms to Giro TT win and race lead
Stage 11: Cavendish romps to second Giro stage win
Stage 10: Di Luca lays down the gauntlet
Giro rest day review (May 18)
Stage nine: Cavendish blitzes rivals to win in Milan
Stage eight: Siutsou makes it two in a row for Columbia-Highroad
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