Anagni, Italy  - Russia's Denis Menchov was well placed to win the Giro d'Italia after he stayed in the leader's pink jersey following the penultimate stage on Saturday.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert won the stage from Naples to Anagni ahead of France's Thomas Voeckler and Stefano Garzelli of Italy after a two-way sprint following a late breakaway.

Gilbert of the Silence-Lotto team posted 4 hours, 30 minutes, 7 seconds over the 203-kilometre leg.

Menchov, 31, of the Rabobank team, now has Sunday's 14.4km individual time trial in Rome between him and his first Giro title.

He is aiming to become only the third Russian to win the Giro in its 100-year history following Yevgeny Berzin in 1994 and Pavel Tonkov in 1996.

Menchov gained a further two seconds for a 20-second lead over Italian Danilo di Luca, and has a 1:43 advantage over third-placed Franco Pellizotti, also of Italy.

Menchov is regarded as the stronger time trial racer, having laid the groundwork for his overall lead by winning the first time trial stage at Cinque Terre. (dpa)