Rate it!

14 votes

Spain's Carlos Sastre came home alone in stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia which finished at the infamous volcano of Mount Vesuvius.

The Tour de France champion attacked early on the 13km climb to the summit finish and came home 20 seconds ahead of Franco Pellizotti.

Rabobank's Denis Menchov hung on to the pink leader's jersey after sticking close to second-placed Danilo Di Luca's wheel as the 2007 winner tried to break away on the climb to the finish line near the volcano's crater.

The LPR rider sprinted in ahead of Russia's Menchov on the final straight to cut the Russian's lead to 18 seconds but he may have missed his last chance.

On Saturday, the riders have a relatively easy 203 km stage from Naples to Anagni before the centenary edition of the three-week race finishes with Sunday's time trial in Rome.

"I tried in every way to break away from him, but nothing," Di Luca said. "We'll see in the time trial in Rome, but for the moment he's the favourite because he's still in front."

Menchov is taking nothing for granted.

"You can't say anything (is decided) until Rome," he said. "Di Luca and I are very close and we contesting this Giro over a question of seconds. Naturally, it's better for me to be in front than behind."

Sastre pulled away with about two kilometres to go from Ivan Basso, who had attacked early on the climb, and then held off a late surge from the Italian's Liquigas team mate Franco Pellizotti.

Pellizotti finished 21 seconds later and remains third overall, although the gap with Menchov is down to 1:39.

American Lance Armstrong, racing in his first Giro having recovered from a broken collarbone, got back up quickly after falling on a winding descent on the Amalfi coast and came home 16th.

The American is out of contention for victory, 13:29 back in 12th, but looks in good shape as he prepares for a crack at an eighth Tour de France title in July after coming out of retirement.

GIRO LIVE: 3:30pm on Saturday on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Eurosport