German tank Jens Voigt (Team CSC) won today's stage after leaving his breakaway companions with about 36 km to go. Stage 18 traversed over this year's world road race championships course and was dominated by a big breakaway that included both Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) as well as Voigt. None of his companions were able to catch Voigt as he cruised to his first ever stage win in the Giro d'Italia.

It was once again piano for the peloton as conserving energy for tomorrow's stage was crucial. Once again, the fireworks will reappear for the final push through the Alps. The Italians will have a hard time defeating a team like Astana who are so experienced at delivering a win in a grand tour. They might be more interested in consolidating their positions considering none of them can time trial better than Alberto Contador (Astana). Don't forget, this race ends with a final individual test to Milan on Sunday. We look forward to seeing Levi Leipheimer cap this Giro for Astana with a stage win of his own.

Top 10 Results for Stage 18
1 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC..............................................3.22.46
2 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quick Step........................................1.07
3 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
4 Gabriele Bosisio (Ita) LPR Brakes
5 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas..............................................2.04
6 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick Step
7 Félix Rafael Cardenas Ravalo (Col) Barloworld
8 Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
9 Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano (Col) Rabobank
10 Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne............................2.06

See the complete results here.