Di Luca set for victory

American time-trial champion David Zabriskie set the early pace around the rain-soaked 43-kilometre course, eclipsing the time of his Hungarian equivalent, Laszlo Bodrogi, by 30 seconds.

Two-time Giro winner Savoldelli has had a disappointing Giro by his own high standards, though he was peerless in this stage, and was quickest through every time check along the course, clocking a formidable 52'20" as he crossed the finish line.

His team-mate Eddy Mazzoleni is a recognised time-trial specialist, though even he must have been thrilled with his own performance, coming in just ahead of Zabriskie to give Astana a one-two on the stage, and he even forced his way onto third spot on the podium, leapfrogging Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni.

Lampre's Marzio Bruseghin was the day's other big mover in the top ten. He recorded the fourth quickest time of the day to jump from tenth to eighth, swapping places with David Arroyo.

Andy Schleck, second-last to go, gave it everything he had in his battle to overhaul a massive 2'24" on Di Luca, and though he came up short, managed to set the sixth-fastest time of the day, a highly impressive 53'48".

Race leader Di Luca elected to go off quickly, racing through fourth-quickest through the first split, and spurred on by the rapturous crowd at the finish, kept his rhythm admirably to ensure he lost no more than half a minute on Schleck.

He is virtually assured now of sealing his first ever victory in the Giro d'Italia on Sunday's final stage from Vestone to Milan.