Basso in spat with Simoni ahead of Giro glory

Italy's Ivan Basso is just one stage away from victory in the Giro d'Italia after winning yesterday's 211-km 20th stage and extending his overall race lead to nine minutes 18 seconds.

The 28-year-old Team CSC rider came home alone in Aprica, showing as he crossed the line a photograph of his baby son Santiago who was born on Friday morning.

Compatriot Gilberto Simoni finished one minute and 17 seconds away in second and then prompted a war of words with Basso.

With only today's 140-km flat 21st stage remaining, Basso enjoys a huge overall lead on Spain's Jose Enrique Gutierrez after effectively sealing victory with yesterday's bold show.

Basso broke clear with Simoni on the steep Passo di Mortirolo climb, 40km from the finish, and the two worked together to gain time on Gutierrez.

Simoni hoped Basso would let him win the stage but when he began to suffer 4km from the finish, Basso accelerated and left him behind.

"I thought I'd done enough work to deserve to win but Basso is an extra-terrestrial in this Giro and has totally dominated every stage," Simoni said. "He asked me to wait for him on the descent and did a lot of work on the way to the finish then left me behind."

Basso responded angrily: "I don't like it when people question my ability. I know how much I've worked to be at my best for the Giro and I know how much my team-mates have worked. We deserve to win this Giro."