Italy's Ivan Basso extended his overall Giro d'Italia lead to more than five minutes today after winning the 16th stage from Rovato to the summit of Monte Bondone.
The CSC rider left his rivals behind seven kilometres from the finish to win his second stage of this year's race and the 30th victory of his eight-year professional career.
The 28-year-old finished one minute and 26 seconds ahead of compatriot Gilberto Simoni. Leonardo Piepoli and Spain's Jose Gutierrez finished third and fourth.
Defending champion Paolo Savoldelli was 3:27 down on Basso and 2004 winner Damiano Cunego lost 4:37.
Basso leads Gutierrez by 5:24 and Savoldelli is third at 9:17.
Wednesday's 133-km 17th stage from Termeno to the ski station of Plan de Corones is one of the shortest stages of the Giro but has the hardest finish.
The climb to the summit is 16.9-km long and has an average gradient of 7.5 percent. The final five km are on a dirt track that includes sections at 20 percent. Some riders may have to get off their bikes and walk to the finish.
