Denis Menchov assumes Tour of Italy lead with epic time trial win; Levi Leipheimer third overall

May 21, 1:36 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Denis Menchov           AP Image/Mario Trovati

Russia's Denis Menchov (Rabobank) won the long-anticipated and long 12th stage and moved into the Tour of Italy overall race lead.

Menchov, who claimed his second stage of the event, covered the 60.6-kilometer unduating course in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 53 seconds. He now holds a 34-second cushion over previous race leader Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) of Italy, who finished the stage in 6th place, 1:54 behind Menchov.

Levi Leipheimer (Astana) of Santa Rosa, Calif., (Astana) finished second in the stage in 1:14:27. Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo), was third in 1:35:32. Leipheimer moved into third place overall, 40 seconds behind Menchov.

Lance Armstrong placed 12th in the stage and is also 12th overall, trailing by 6:34.

Top 10 Stage Results (Stage 12)

1. Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank in 1:13:53; 2. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana in 1:14:27 at 0:34; 3. Stefano Garzelli (ITA) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo in 1:14:57 at 1:04; 4. Franco Pellizotti (ITA) Liquigas in 1:15:29 at 1:36; 5. Janez Brajkovic (SLO) Astana in 1:15:34 at 1:41; 6. Danilo Di Luca (ITA) LPR Brakes Farnese Vini in 1:15:39 at 1:46; 7. Gabriele Bosisio (ITA) LPR Brakes Farnese Vini in 1:15:46 at 1:53; 8. Bradley Wiggins (GBR) Garmin - Slipstream in 1:15:50 at 1:57; 9. Carlos Sastre Candil (ESP) Cervelo Test Team in 1:15:55 at 2:02; 10. Michele Scarponi (ITA) Serramenti Pvc Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli in 1:15:58 at 2:05.

Other Americans

12. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana in 1:16:09 at 2:16; 40. Jason McCartney (USA) Team Saxo Bank in 1:19:30 at 5:37; 81. Tom Danielson (USA) Garmin - Slipstream in 1:21:31 at 7:38; 92. Edward King (USA) Cervelo Test Team in 1:21:46 at 7:53; 97. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream in 1:21:58 at 8:05; 159. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream in 1:24:19 at 10:26; 177. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream in 1:25:50 at 11:56.

General Classification

1. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank, 50:27:17; 2. Danilo Di Luca (ITA), LPR Brakes Farnese Vini, at 0:34; 3. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana, at 0:40; 4. Franco Pellizotti (ITA), Liquigas, at 2:00; 5. Carlos Sastre Candil (ESP), Cervelo TestTeam, at 2:52; 6. Michael Rogers (AUS), Columbia-Highroad, at 2:59; 7. Ivan Basso (ITA), Liquigas, at 3:00; 8. Gilberto Simoni (ITA), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli, at 4:38; 9. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre-NGC, at 5:26; 10. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Columbia-Highroad, at 5:53.

Other Americans

12. Lance Armstrong (USA), Astana, at 6:34; 90. Jason McCartney (USA), Saxo Bank, at 1:15:26; 91. Tom Danielson (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, at 1:16:19; 125. Edward King (USA), Cervelo TestTeam, at 1:39:43; 142. Tyler Farrar (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, at 1:57:59; 152. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, at 2:02:35; 159. David Zabriskie (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, at 2:05:09.

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