Here is a scene from today's stage of the Giro d'Italia. Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre, who won the Tour de France a year ago, won the stage. He averaged 20.28 miles per hour for 147.2 miles. It was a ridiculously difficult stage, not just in terms of the length and the many steep climbs, but in terms of the heat. Sastre was in the saddle for 7:11:54. The overall lead remains in the hands of Russian cyclist Denis Menchov, who is 39 seconds ahead of Italian cyclist (and former Giro winner) Danilo Di Luca. Menchov's goal today was to stay with Di Luca, and he did. Levi Leipheimer faltered today. Yes, he had bad luck (a puncture near the end), but he has shown no inclination to attack. When you're behind, you must attack. Lance Armstrong paced Leipheimer to the finish. Both were 2:51 behind Sastre. Leipheimer is in sixth place overall and Armstrong 12th. Tomorrow is a rest day. The Giro ends Sunday in Rome, with a short (8.9-mile) individual time trial.
Cycling
–––––––
