Menchov wins Giro fifth stage and Di Luca leads
ALPE DI SIUSI, Italy (Reuters) - Russia's Denis Menchov won the 125-km fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday while Lance Armstrong slipped back after a punishing mountain climb.
Rabobank rider Menchov pulled away on the final straight and although LPR's Danilo Di Luca had no energy to respond, the Italian clung on to take second spot and seize the race lead.
Sweden's Thomas Lovkvist, who held the pink jersey after Tuesday's run through the Dolomites, finished third.
Seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong, who made a bright start to the Giro having only just recovered from a broken collarbone, found the stage tough and is three minutes 34 seconds back in 22nd place overall.
"I'm definitely a little tired, that was a hard climb," the 37-year-old Astana rider told reporters.
"I knew we would be behind so we just had to ride our tempo and limit the losses to maybe two minutes. It was closer to three but that's ok.
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"The first half (of the race) is not going to be my half, I still have to get my condition back after the accident. I can't expect to be in front." Continued...
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