Sprightly Sastre Nimble Up Vesuvius – Stage 19 Giro d’Italia Centoanni

After his proclamation to fight for the title, the reigning Tour de France Champion's legs misfired on Stage 17 up Blockhaus. But Carlos Sastre (Cervelo Test Team) would once again show his mettle as a climber on the final mountain stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia.

With only a transition stage and the final time trial to go, Stage 19 would be the final attempt for the climber/contenders to state their case for the overall. As such, the attacks came quickly once the riders reached the slopes of the infamous Mt. Vesuvius.

Ivan Basso (Liquigas) and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo) were the first to have a go. But neither could maintain their torrid pace. The expected battle for the General Classification also fell short as the top three contenders marked each other all the way up the dormant volcano.

Sastre would be first to summit the historic climb, which had only been used two other times in the race's history. Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) would take second, and Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini) third.

Results
1. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
2. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
3. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini

For his efforts, Sastre would move up a spot to fourth overall.

General Classification After Stage 19
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
4. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
5. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
8. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
9. Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale
10. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

Next: Stage 20 - Napoli - Anagni, 203km
Dare I say it...the penultimate stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia.