Denis Menchov seems set to wear the Giro d'Italia leader's jersey all the way to Rome, but Italy?s Danilo Di Luca is convinced he can topple the Russian on the Blockhaus climb on Wednesday and then to the up to the edge of the Mount Vesuvius volcano overlooking Naples on Friday.
Di Luca is only 39 seconds behind Menchov but knows he will lose some time in the final 14.4km time trial in Rome. So he has to attack and attack hard if he wants to swap his ciclamino points jersey for the maglia Rosa.
Di Luca wants to win on the Blockhaus because it overlooks his home near Pescara in the central Abruzzo region.
The little LPR rider has been raising money for the victims of the Abruzzo earthquake during the Giro and he also wants to put on a show for the thousands of people still living in tents or temporary accommodation after their homes were destroyed.
?Second place is pretty much stitched up and with my stage wins and time already spent in the pink jersey my Giro is already a success,? Di Luca told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper after Monte Petrano.
?I know I?ve got two mountain finishes to drop Menchov. It might seem impossible at the moment considering that?s he?s been the strongest so far, but cycling is strange, anyone can have a crisis??
?My problem is that Menchov is marking me man to man and didn?t manage to drop him with two violent attacks. Obviously, I?d race the same way if I was in his situation. All I can do is keep going at him.
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"I can only attack, attack and attack to try and get rid of him. I?m not convinced he?ll crack but I can hope that something happens. He?s been perfect so far but nothing last for ever.?
Bruyneel tips Menchov to win Giro>>
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Giro d'Italia 2009 links
Stage reports
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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