Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) has won Stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia. The Italian veteran won the 12.9-km mountain time trial from San Vigilio de Marebbe to Plan de Corones in 40:26. Emanuele Sella (CSF) finished second at 0:06, and Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) took third at 0:26. Alberto Contador (Astana) has tightened his grip on the maglia rosa.

Jose Rujano (Caisse d'Epargne) set the early standard with a 41:15. This time stood until Sella bettered it with a 40:32. Pellizotti took over the lead with his time, and Simoni posted his.

Aside from Pellizotti, who moved into fourth place overall with his victory, the day's big winner was Contador. The Spaniard finished fourth at 0:22. He gained 0:08 on Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval), who finished sixth; 1:23 on Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes), who finished ninth; and 1:27 on Denis Menchov (Rabobank), who finished ninth. Contador still contends that his form is not the best, but he is the best positioned of the GC contenders.

In the overall, Contador leads Ricco by 0:41 and Simoni by 1:21. Tomorrow is the Giro's second rest day, and Stage 17 on Wednesday will be a rolling, 146-km run from Sondrio, Italy to Locarno, Switzerland. An escape could win the day, but a sprint is just as likely. Which will it be? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!