Russian Roulette - Stage 5 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) would lead a host of favorites to the finish line at the Alpe di Siusi in taking the Stage 5 victory of the 100th Giro d'Italia. Both Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini), and Thomas Lövkvist (Team Columbia - Highroad) would confirm their form and their place among the favorites to win this year's race by coming in second and third, respectively on the day.

The 31-year old Russian, an all-rounder who climbs and time trials well, is a perennial favorite to win any of the grand tour races. But for the most part, his accomplishments have largely gone unnoticed. A legitimate two-time winner of the Vuelta a España, the Rabobank leader often gets slotted into the second tier of favorites when the Tour de France rolls around. Depending on his season's goals and aspirations, Menchov possesses enough talent and determination to take the trophy in Rome. If, however, his eyes are on the Tour, then his name will slide quickly down the General Classification.

Results
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad

As a result of his second place finish, Danilo DiLuca pulled on the maglia rosa for the first time this year.

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
5. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
6. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
8. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
9. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
10. David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

What's In A Name
For the boys of Astana, the name on the front of the jersey has nothing to do with the names on the back (that is if cyclists had their last names printed on their backs to identify themselves). In solidarity and in a sign of protest for not being paid for the better part of this year's cycling season, the entire Astana team rode the stage sans their main sponsor's logo anywhere on their person.

The missing payments could have serious implications for the team moving forward on the season as the UCI has suspended teams with unstable management in the past. I doubt anything or anyone could prevent arguably the greatest assembled stage race team from competing in the Tour de France and beyond, but a May 31st deadline for the riders to receive some payment looms large.

Most likely, another as yet to be named sponsor(s) will keep Armstrong, Contador, and Leipheimer riding well into the 2009 season.

Next: Stage 6 - Bressanone/Brixen - Mayrhofen (Aut), 248km
A monster of a stage in length looked to produce another sprint finish, but several riders had other thoughts in mind.