Simoni virtual Giro champ

Italy's Gilberto Simoni was at his merciless best when he claimed stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia on Friday, scaling his way up the race's final summit finish at Cascata del Toce to once again extend his lead in the overall standings.

RE-LIVE: Giro stage 19

Simoni, increasing his already-comfortable lead to over eight minutes with just two stages remaining, collected his third stage victory of this year's Giro. The 2001 champion attacked with three kilometres to go on the longest stage of the 86th edition, a 239 ride from Canelli to Cascata del Toce.

The Italian, who rides for the Saeco team, crossed the line three seconds ahead of fellow Italians Dario Frigo and Eddy Mazzoleni.

"I had said that I wouldn't try to win this stage but with three kilometres to go, I changed my mind," Simoni told reporters after his victory.

"I was forced to leave the Giro after the other riders wanted to send me home so today I decided to pay them back. Today, destiny gave me back everything I lost last year," said Simoni, who was sent home during last year's Giro after failing a drug test for cocaine.

"When Simoni took off, he was very strong," Frigo said. "I felt like I was falling back at that moment, probably because my efforts from the previous stage no doubt. I tried my best to finish second, I'm not disappointed. I already won my stage (on Friday)."

In the general classifications, Simoni now leads Stefano Garzelli of Italy by 8:04, with Yaroslav Popovych of the Ukraine by 8:06.