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This is the week that the Giro d'Italia was supposed to separate the men from the boys.
Well, boy oh boy, is Ivan Basso proving to be THE MAN.
On the 173km 16th stage from Rovato to Bondone's summit, Basso was nearly a minute-and-a-half faster than his closest pursuer, Gilberto Simoni, and he's now more than five minutes ahead in the GC.
Said Basso (photo at left by Graham Watson):
"I wasn't trying to make a statement. It's not often I get to win so I have to take advantage of it when I can. It was more special to win in the maglia rosa. That's something I can remember from this day. It's one of the most beautiful wins of my career. But this Giro is not over. There are still some hard days and I won't do anything out of the ordinary. I won't be the winner until I get to Milan."
Discovery Channel's Paolo Savodelli is still third, but he now trails Basso by more than nine minutes:
"I already knew any chances for winning were finished even before today started. I am still having trouble breathing and I was at the red line right at the beginning of the climb. It's frustrating and I am trying to find the motivation to keep fighting."

Results - Stage 16
1. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, at 173km in 4:51:30
2. Gilberto Simoni (I), Saunier Duval, at 1:26
3. Leonardo Piepoli (I), Saunier Duval, at 1:37
4. José E. Gutierrez Cataluna (Sp), Phonak, at 1:37
5. John Gadret (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 2:40
6. JulioPerez Cuapio (MEX), Ceramica Panaria, at 2:45
7. Wladimir Belli (I), Colombia - Selle Italia, at 3:12
8. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 3:25
9. Giampaolo Caruso (I), Liberty Seguros, at 3:27
10. David Lopez Garcia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 3:27

Overall, after 16 stages
1. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 64:35:17
2. José E. Gutierrez Cataluna (Sp), Phonak, at 5:24
3. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, at 9:17
4. Gilberto Simoni (I), Saunier Duval, at 9:34
5. Wladimir Belli (I), Colombia - Selle Italia, at 11:07
6. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 11:59
7. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 12:40
8. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, at 13:55
9. Victor Hugo Pena Grisales (Col), Phonak, at 14:59
10. Danilo Di Luca (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, at 15:18