2009 Giro d'Italia: The Home Stretch

As the centenary Giro d'Italia heads into its final week, there are still big plot lines that will unfold over the coming stages. While many riders are all but eliminated in the GC hunt, there nevertheless are still many interesting story lines to follow for the remainder of the race. Those that EP will be paying particular attention to follow below.

Levi Leipheimer had a bad day on stage 16 and is out of the GC hunt. The California native won't give up though, and he'll try to salvage what remains over the final few days of racing. WIth two mountain top finishes and an individual time trial on offer down the stretch, the Santa Rosa native will hope for a good day and a stage victory as a consolation prize for losing out on the Maglia Rosa. If not, he'll hope one of his teammates breaks through for a stage win.

Speaking of Leipheimer's teammates, 7-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong meanwhile seems to be getting better and better each day. He was on a very good day for stage 16, but instead of following the day's decisive moves he took the classier route and supported Leipheimer all the way to the finish line, saving his fellow American minutes on the GC. Now that Leipheimer is out of the GC hunt though, perhaps Armstrong will try his hand at a stage win before the Giro concludes. As good as he looked for stage 16, it seems likely that he'll at least try to attack over the final days of the three week Italian tour.

Denis Menchov looks very strong, but so does Danilo Di Luca. This Giro may be remembered as one that had two worthy champions participating. Unfortunately though only one can win, and unless Di Luca can come up with something pretty special over the coming stages, it is looking as though Menchov will take his first Giro win for his Rabobank team. Menchov is proving himself as one of the best stage racing riders in the world, and his days of playing underdog are likely over.

Carlos Sastre is not a time trialist, so his only hope at victory is having two good days on the final two summit finishes of the Giro at Blockhaus and Vesuvio respectively. Sastre has proven that he can go uphill very fast, but it is unlikely that he'll be able to gain back the two plus minutes that he is behind on Menchov in the GC battle. Still, the classy Spaniard will once again garner a podium in a grand tour, and his first at the Giro. Likewise he'll be ready to defend his Tour de France title in July, taking on all comers.

The centenary Giro, thus far, has completely lived up to its billing as a race worthy of the 100th edition. Action has been frenetic and dramatic, and each rider has gone as deep as possible for glory in the Italian stage race. With plenty of action still to come though, the final stages of the Gior should cement its status as one of the most exciting editions in recent years.