Carlos Sastre wins key 16th stage of Giro

Carlos Sastre won the grueling 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia in an uphill finish Monday made even tougher by severe heat.

Denis Menchov held onto the overall leader's pink jersey.

Sastre clocked 7 hours, 11 minutes, 54 seconds over the lengthy 237-kilometer (147-mile) leg from Pergola to Monte Petrano, over three major climbs.

The temperature at the base of the final climb measured 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).

Menchov finished second, 25 seconds behind, and Danilo di Luca was third, 26 back.

After a rest day Tuesday, the race resumes Wednesday with another uphill finish in a short 83-kilometer (52-mile) stage from Chieti to Blockhaus.

The race ends May 31 in Rome.