 Basso finished second in last year's Tour de France |
Italy's Ivan Basso destroyed his rivals to win the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia, moving within sight of overall victory. The CSC rider took his third stage of the race, beating Gilberto Simoni by 86 seconds with Leonardo Piepoli in third.
Basso went clear of most of his rivals on the final climb, and dropped Simoni 6.5km out to finish well ahead.
He now leads Jose Enrique Gutierrez by five minutes and 24 seconds in the overall standings with five days to go.
Basso completed the 107-mile stage from Rovato to Monte Bondone in four hours 51 minutes and 30seconds.
None of Basso's rivals could match his power on the steep climbs in the Dolomite mountains as he moved ahead during the final climb on the Monte Bondone.
Simoni did manage to keep up for a while, but the relentless pace was too much for him and Basso was able to take victory without a rival in sight.
 | I've got a good lead but anything can still happen |
"This is one of my best wins of my career," said Basso.
"It's not often you get a chance to win a stage wearing the leader's pink jersey and so I'm very, very happy.
"This stage win and the time I've gained in the overall standings makes me even more confident of my ability but there are still four tough stages to come and they're packed with difficult climbs.
"I know I've got a good lead but anything can still happen. I'm worried about the Plan de Corones dirt road finish on Wednesday, the uphill finish at San Pellegrino on Friday and the Mortirolo on Saturday.
"I'll only be sure I've won when I make it to the finish in Milan on Sunday."
Basso is hoping to become the 13th rider in history to win the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same season.
Results from stage 16:
1. Ivan Basso (Ita/Team CSC) 4hours 51mins 30secs
2. Gilberto Simoni (Ita/Saunier Duval) +1:26secs
3. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita/Saunier Duval) +1:37
4. Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Spa/Phonak) +1:38
5. John Gadret (Fra/AG2R) +2:40
6. Julio Perez Cuapio (Mex/Panaria) +2:45
7. Wladimir Belli (Ita/Selle Italia) +3:12
8. Franco Pellizotti (Ita/Liquigas) +3:25
9. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita/Liberty Seguros) +3:27
10. David Lopez (Spa/Euskaltel) ST
Overall standings:
1. Ivan Basso (Ita/Team CSC) 64hours 35mins 17secs
2. Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Spa/Phonak) +5mins 24secs
3. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita/Discovery Channel) +9:17
4. Gilberto Simoni (Ita/Saunier Duval) +9:34
5. Wladimir Belli (Ita/Selle Italia) +11:07
6. Franco Pellizotti (Ita/Liquigas) +11:59
7. Sandy Casar (Fra/Francaise des Jeux) +12:40
8. Damiano Cunego (Ita/Lampre) +13:55
9. Victor Hugo Pena (Col/Phonak) +14:59
10. Danilo Di Luca (Ita/Liquigas) +15:18
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 