Majella National Park, Italy - Russian Denis Menchov continues to lead the Giro d'Italia after finishing fourth in Wednesday's 17th stage, which was won by Franco Pellizotti. The Liquigas cyclist Pellizotti won the short stage of just 83 kilometres in a time of 2:21.06 hours, beating compatriot Stefano Garzelli by 42 seconds.
Menchov's main rival Danilo Di Luca was third and managed to cut Menchov's lead to just 26 seconds.
Di Luca, who lives just 50 kilometres away from the mountain rise the cyclists had to climb on Wednesday, was cheered as he managed to claw out a small lead over Menchov.
"I know each metre of this mountain," he said.
