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VERONA, Italy -- Italian cyclist Paolo Savoldelli won the 20th stage individual time trial of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday, while Danilo Di Luca finished eighth to retain the overall lead and stand on the brink of race victory.
Savoldelli completed the 43-kilometer (26.7-mile) flat course from Bardolino in 52 minutes, 20 seconds. It was his fourth career Giro stage victory.
Eddy Mazzoleni was second, 36 seconds back, followed by David Zabriskie, 0:38 off the lead.
Di Luca was 1:57 behind Savoldelli.
Di Luca now leads second-place Andy Schleck by 1:55 in the overall standings going into Sunday's final leg and is virtually assured of triumph.
The Liquigas rider went into the last stage in which his lead faced a potential challenge with a 2min 24sec advantage on second-placed Schleck, the Luxemburger who is racing the Giro for the first time.
Despite a solid performance over 43km of the race against the clock, CSC all-rounder Schleck failed to cause an upset, or dent Di Luca's dreams of securing a first pink jersey.
"It's a great day! I can't describe the feeling I had when I crossed the line," said Di Luca.
"I've already had some great moments, at Liege-Baston-Liege, but the Giro, that's something else."
Savoldelli hit an average speed of 49.299 km/h for the distance to win the time trial.
The twice former pink jersey winner was happy to get something out of an unsuccessful tour.
"After this victory, I'm happy with my Giro," he said. "I suffered on the stage at Briancon, I had some difficult days."
Paid tribute
And he paid tribute to the probable new champion.
"Di Luca, he was the strongest. He controlled the race with his team."
On a race course which was initially wet but dried as the sun made an appearance, the 22-year-old Schleck finished sixth, taking 29 seconds off Di Luca to virtually secure his second place overall and the white jersey for the race's best rider aged under 25.
"I did the time-trial of my life," said Schleck. "It's great. I dreamt about the pink jersey. Di Luca wasn't so good in the last mountain stages but I knew he would fight for it.
"He deserved to win, he was the best this year."
Former two-time Giro winner Gilberto Simoni lost any chance of a podium place, with Saunier Duval's climbing specialist posting a time of 55min 04sec, nearly three minutes slower than Savoldelli.
Simoni is likely to finish fourth overall, just ahead of 2004 race winner Damiano Cunego of Lampre.
The 185-kilometer (115-mile) flat 21st stage from Vestone to Milan is relatively easy, meaning that Di Luca can expect to win the 90th edition of the prestigious race, excepting any unforeseen mishaps.
