Menshov grabs pink jersey at Giro

22 May, 2009 08:36 / Updated 16 years ago

In cycling, Denis Menshov has claimed the leader's pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia. The Russian took the overall lead thanks to victory in stage 12.

Thursday's stage saw the riders compete in the individual time trial from Sestri Levante to Riomaggiore.

And it was the two-time Vuelta champion, who showed the greatest speed, as he crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of his main title rival, Levi Lepheimer, who took second.

Previous leader Danilo di Luca slipped back, as he could only manage 6th, while Lance Armstrong finished a distant 13th.

What this means overall is that Menchov replaces Di Luca at the top of the general classification with nine more stages to go. Levi Leipheimer remains his biggest threat, after moving up to third.