Simoni wins after Bonjour blow

Simoni is virtually assured of clinching overall victory

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Gilberto Simoni of Italy consolidated his overall lead by winning the 181km 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia in impressive style on Saturday.

Simoni, who rides for the Lampre team, maintained an aggressive solo breakaway to win.

The Italian was bolstered by the absence of his principal rival Dario Frigo, who withdrew in shame on Friday after police found illegal drugs in his hotel room.

Simoni attacked from Busto Arsizio to finish almost two and a half minutes ahead of second-placed Paolo Savoldelli of the Saeco team.

Dario Frigo is sacked after being found with illegal drugs

In driving rain, Savoldelli made a brave bid to leave the chasing pack and catch Simoni.

But he failed to make up ground on the leader, who extended his lead before easing up in the closing metres.

The victory is the first stage win for the Italian, who finished third overall in 1999 and 2000, in a Giro that he has dominated.

Second theft

French team Bonjour were forced to borrow bikes at the last minute from manufacturers Shimano after they had all their bikes stolen on Friday.

Team officials announced that the French team's lorry, parked in the hotel car park where its riders and entourage were staying, was forced open and 10 bikes were stolen.

The theft is the second of its kind for the team, bringing the total number of bikes stolen in this year's race to 15.

Stage results

1. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Lampre 5 hours 3mins 38 secs
2. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco 2:25 behind
3. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Panaria 2:43
4. Daniele De Paoli (Ita) Mercatone Uno same time
5. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 3:03
6. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno
7. Sergej Honchar (Ukr) Liquigas
8. Wladimir Duma (Ukr) Panaria
9. Unai Osa (Spa) ibanesto.com
10. Andrea Noe' (Ita) Mapei
11. Peter Luttenberger (Aust) Tacconi Sport
12. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Alessio
13. Abraham Olano (Spa) Once
14. Carlos Contreras (Col) Selle Italia
15. Jose' Azevedo (Port) Once
16. Aleksander Shefer (Kaz)
17. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio all same time
18. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) ibanesto.com 4:03
19. Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) Deutsche Telekom 4:11
20. Matthias Kessler (Ger) Deutsche Telekom same time

Leading overall standings:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Italy) Lampre 85 hrs 57 mins 57 secs
2. Olano 7:31 behind
3. Osa 8:37
4. Honchar 9:25
5. Azevedo 9:44
6. Noe' 10:50
7. Gotti 10:54
8. Contreras 11:35
9. Caucchioli 13:25
10. Figueras 14:08
11. Velo 14:34
12. Luttenberger 15:36
13. Hernan Buenahora (Col) Selle Italia 16:13
14. Savoldelli 18:42 15. Joaquim Castelblanco (Col) Selle Italia 22:53
16. Bruseghin 25:04
17. Mauro Zanetti (Ita) Alessio 27:16
18. Marco Magnani (Ita) Alexia 33:04
19. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Liquigas 33:14
20. Juan Garate (Spa) Lampre 33:24

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