Italy's Mario Cipollini won the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia - and his fifth in this year's race - in a sprint finish on Friday.

The Acqua & Sapone rider took the stage to Brescia when he outpaced Alessandro Petacchi and Rene Haselbacher in the dash for the line.

"I have been doing very well this year, with the new team," said Cipollini. "I have a chance for another victory in the last stage in Milan.

"I suffered in the mountains in the last few days to stay in the race and have this opportunity."

The day began with former leader Jens Heppner of Germany pulling out of the race.

Heppner led the race for 11 days before suffering in the mountain stages, and he withdrew ahead of Friday's leg through the Dolomoite mountains.

Paolo Savoldelli, of Index Alexia, retained the pink jersey of overall leader going into the last two legs of the race.

Savoldelli has a 55-second lead over fellow-Italian Pietro Caucchioli, and is one minute 28 seconds in front of American Tyler Hamilton.

"Certainly Hamilton is the toughest opponent Saturday," said Savoldelli. "I hope I can fight off his attack and wear pink through Milan."

Friday's stage 18 results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Ita) Acqua e Sapone 4hr 12min 44sec
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) same time
3. Rene Haselbacher (Aut) s.t.
4. Lars Michaelsen (Den) s.t.
5. Massimo Strazzer (Ita) s.t.
6. Mariano Piccoli (Ita) s.t.
7. Fabio Sacchi (Ita) s.t.
8. Aart Vierhouten (Ned) s.t.
9. Mauro Gerosa (Ita) s.t.
10. Biagio Conte (Ita) s.t.

Selected: 15. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) s.t.

Overall standings

1. Paolo Savoldelli, Italy, 84 hours, 49 minutes, 55 sec
2. Pietro Caucchioli, Italy, 55 seconds behind
3. Tyler Hamilton, United States, 1:28
4. Juan Manuel Garate, Spain, 1:39
5. Pavel Tonkov, Russia, 3:08
6. Fernando Escartin, Spain, 3:19
7. Georg Totschnig, Austria, 5:32
8. Rik Verbrugghe, Belgium, 7:54
9. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez, Spain, 8:12
10. Dario Frigo, Italy, 9:41

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