May 27th, 2009 by 
thien
Franco Pellizotti wins the short 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia in an uphill finish, while Denis Menchov retains the overall leader’s pink jersey.
Stage 17 Results
1 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas - 2.21.06
2 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo - 0.42
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini - 0.43
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0.48
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas - 0.57
6 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C. - 1.54
7 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas - 1.55
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad - 1.59
9 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
10 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
General Classification After Stage 17
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 72.28.24
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini - 0.26
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas - 2.00
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas - 3.28
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team - 3.30
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana - 4.32
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad - 7.05
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo - 8.03
9 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale - 9.58
10 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C. - 10.33
Jersey Standings:
- Denis Menchov
- Danilo Di Luca
- Stefano Garzelli
- Kevin Seeldrayers
Links to news sites…
“Pellizotti powers to Blockhaus stage win
(CNN) — Italian Franco Pellizotti claimed the third Giro d’Italia stage victory of his career after winning the epic climb up to Blockhaus, in the earthquake-hit Abruzzo region, on Wednesday.
The Liquigas rider, who finished fourth overall in last year’s Giro, attacked at the bottom of the ascent and held off his rivals to move up to third place in the overall classification.
Race leader Denis Menchov of Russia stuck to the wheel of nearest challenger Dano Di Luca, losing just fives secoknds on the line.
But Di Luca also picked up an eight second time bonus for finishing third on the stage and has cut Menchov’ s lead to just a 26 seconds with four stages remaining.” Read more from CNN International…
““Pellizotti rules the Blockhaus, Menchov retains lead
‘Killer’ Di Luca makes up time on maglia rosa
Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) moved himself into a position to make the final podium by winning stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia. On the 83 kilometre stage from Chieti to the mountain-top finish of the Blockhaus, he stormed away from the group of favourites, leaving Carlos Sastre behind on the relentless climb. His teammate Ivan Basso also moved ahead of Sastre in the overall classification.
Stefano Garzelli out-sprinted Danilo Di Luca for second place, 42 seconds behind Pellizotti, while race leader Denis Menchov not only missed out on the time bonus, but also lost five seconds on Di Luca while finishing in fourth.
Menchov remains in the race lead, holding a 26-second advantage over Di Luca and 2:00 ahead of Pellizotti.
Pellizotti attacked on the lower slopes of the 23.5-kilometre Blockhaus climb and steadily built a 50-second lead over a four-man chase group containing local favourite Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini), maglia rosa Denis Menchov (Rabobank), teammate Ivan Basso and mountain classification leader Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo).” Read more from Cyclingnews.com…
Photo credit - CorVos
