Leonardo Bertagnolli won the 15th stage of the Giro D'Italia as Denis Menchov retained possession of the pink jersey.
Russian Menchov still on top despite Basso's attempts to close gap
Denis Menchov kept his cool in soaring temperatures to retain the overall lead in the Giro D'Italia after the 15th stage, which was won by Leonardo Bertagnolli.
Italian Bertagnolli of the Diquigiovanni launched a solo attack around 12km from home and reached the finish in Faenza in a time of four hours 18 minutes and 34 seconds.
Having slipped back in the closing stages, Belgium's Serge Pauwels sprinted home to claim second place a minute behind the winner.
Russian Menchov ended up in 16th position to retain the pink jersey. He finds himself 34 seconds ahead of nearest rival Danilo Di Luca.
Astana's Levi Leipheimer is a further 11 seconds adrift while team-mate Lance Armstrong is almost eight-and-a-half minutes back of the leader.
Pre-race favourite Ivan Basso, the 2006 champion, attempted to make a move on the slopes of Monte Casale.
But, despite help from compatriot Stefano Garzelli, the Italian was eventually reeled in by the peleton, leaving him just over three minutes behind Menchov.
The riders travel from Pergola to Monte Petrano on Monday on a 237km stage that includes several tough mountains. The race concludes next Sunday in Rome.
Stage 15 result: 1. Leonardo Bertagnolli (Italy / Diquigiovanni ) 4h 18m 34s
2. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Cervelo ) +54s
3. Marco Pinotti (Italy / Columbia )
4. Lars Bak (Denmark / Saxo Bank )
5. Marco Marzano (Italy / Lampre ) +56"
6. Andriy Grivko (Ukraine / Team ISD ) +1:27"
7. Mauro Facci (Italy / Quick-Step ) +1:49"
8. Tadej Valjavec (Slovenia / AG2R ) +1:51"
