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Simoni climbs to stage win

Gilberto Simoni got the better of Jose Maria Jimenez

Gilberto Simoni emerged from a gruelling battle on the climb with Jose Maria Jimenez to win the 20th stage of the Tour of Spain.

It was a case of second time lucky for the Italian after he lost out to Spain's Roberto Heras in a sprint to the finish line on the same ascent last year.

The race for overall victory looks set to go down to the wire, with Spain's Oscar Sevilla holding a slender 25-second lead over second-placed countryman Angel Casero.

Casero did well to keep Sevilla in his sights throughout the final ascent with the tour leader pushing hard to shake him off.

Sevilla now heads into the final 38-kilometre time trial around Madrid with with a bare margin over Casero, regarded as a better rider against the clock.

Last year's winner, Heras, one minute 55 seconds behind Casero and well clear of fourth-placed compatriot Juan Miguel Mercado, looks sure to claim third.

Simoni and Jemenez were in a class of their own on the climb, clearing well away from their nearest pursuers in the final two kilometres.

But it was the Italian, riding for the Lampre-Daikin team, who won the day with a final burst that swept him past Jimenez, the winner of three mountain stages on this year's tour.

Spain's Jose Luis Rubiera crossed the line in third place, 15 seconds behind Jimenez, while Dane Klaus Moeller was fourth with the same time.

Stage results:

1. Gilberto Simoni, Italy, Lampre, 4 hours, 25 minutes, 9 seconds.
2. Jose Maria Jimenez, Spain, ibanesto.com, 2 seconds behind.
3. Jose Maria Rubiera, Spain, US Postal, 15 seconds behind.
4. Claus Moller, Denmark, Milaneza, s.t.
5. Oscar Sevilla, Spain, Kelme, s.t.
6. Angel Casero, Spain, Festina, s.t.
7. Roberto Heras, Spain, US Postal, s.t.
8. Levi Leipheimer, United States, US Postal, 17 seconds behind.
9. Aitor Osa, Spain, ibanesto.com, s.t.
10. Juan Miguel Mercado, Spain, ibanesto.com, s.t.

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Overall standings:

1. Oscar Sevilla, Spain, Kelme, 70 hours, 2 minutes, 22 seconds.
2. Angel Casero, Spain, Festina, 25 seconds behind.
3. Roberto Heras, Spain, US Postal, 2:20 behind.
4. Juan Miguel Mercado, Spain, ibanesto.com, 3:21 behind.
5. Levi Leipheimer, United States, US Postal, 3:57 behind.
6. David Plaza, Spain, Festina, 4:46 behind.
7. Jose Maria Rubiera, Spain, US Postal, 4:59 behind.
8. Aitor Osa, Spain, ibanesto.com, 5:49 behind.
9. Claus Moller, Denmark, Milaneza, 7:27 behind.
10. Fernando Escartin, Spain, Team Coast, 7:38 behind.