Friday’s calm after the storm at Monte Zoncolan served up another chance for Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) to strut his stuff.

And strut he did in the 149km 13th stage from Pordenone to Marostica. With Mario Cipollini out of the Giro d’Italia with injuries after setting a new record with 42 career stage victories, it was up to Cipo’s heir apparent, Daniele Bennati, to make a run at derailing Petacchi.

At just 22, Bennati is going to be very good someday. But Petacchi is already very good, and he proved it by outsprinting the young protégé to win for the fourth time in this year’s Giro.

Petacchi dedicated the victory to his former teammate Denis Zanette, who died at 29 of an apparent heart attack in January during a visit to the dentist. Friday’s course entered Zanette’s hometown, and the peloton rode tempo until it stopped for two minutes of silence to pay tribute to their fallen comrade.

Garzelli attacks on the final hill.

Photo: Graham Watson

“This is for Denis Zanette. I saw his wife and baby daughter this morning when we stopped to remember Denis in his hometown of Sacile,” an emotional Petacchi told Reuters. “It was a very emotional moment because last year I shared a room with Denis during the Giro. Seeing his wife this morning gave me the determination to win today.”

In fact, Fassa Bortolo was so determined to win the stage in honor of Zanette that the team chased down one of its own, Dario Frigo, who attacked in the final 6km in the closing circuit course in Marostica, to set up the sprint.

“I’m sorry we chased down Dario Frigo after he attacked, but that was the team order,” Petacchi said. “I felt good today and knew I had a good chance of winning.”

There was a tough Category 3 climb 8km from the finish that threw sparks into the otherwise-quiet stage. Race leader Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) was forced to do a little more work than expected coming into Marostica when second-place Stefano Garzelli (Caldirola-Sidermec) attacked hard on the hill.

Garzelli didn’t stop when it was obvious the bunch sprint was inevitable and chased hard to earn time bonuses. He snagged third and, with an eight-second time bonus, reduced his gap to Simoni to just 36 seconds.

“I felt good, and so I decided to have a go,” Garzelli said. “I wanted to break up the bunch and try to win the sprint for the time bonus. When I saw that Petacchi was back with us near the finish I followed him and knew I'd still have a chance for second or third.”

This year’s Giro is developing into a showdown between Garzelli, Giro champion 2000, and Simoni, Giro champion 2001.

This weekend’s stages will prove decisive. Up first is Saturday’s four-climb, 162km 14th stage to Alpe di Pampeago. And then on Sunday, the peloton hits the first of two individual time trials. The 42.5km race against the clock from Merano to Bolzano will further solidify the strongest riders’ positions.

“Eight seconds isn't a lot, but it's a boost to my morale for Saturday's mountain stage,” Garzelli said. “I'll be trying to stay with Simoni, or at least lose as little time as possible, and then I'll give it everything in Sunday's time trial. Whatever happens the next two days of the Giro will be vital.”

Simoni admitted he was surprised by Garzelli’s aggression, but said he will once again go on the attack in Saturday’s stage.

“Garzelli surprised me, but I immediately chased after him because I realized he was trying to take the time bonuses. Twenty seconds for first place is quite a lot, but fortunately the race came back together,” Simoni said. “Tomorrow will be a very difficult stage, there are four tough climbs and it will be hard for everybody. I know I can't wait for later in the race, I have to attack to try and gain as much time as possible.”

Simoni has his hands full, with riders such as Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) and Francesco Casagrande (Lampre) showing new strength after struggling up the Terminillo climb in the Giro’s first week. But Simoni realizes Garzelli is the man he must watch the closest.

“With Marco Pantani and Francesco Casagrande going well, I've got several rivals but I’ve got to put time (between me) and Garzelli. He's my biggest rival for the Giro,” Simoni said.

Saturday’s stage enters the high mountains of northern Italy and opens with a monster, 23km climb that tops out at the Category 1 Passo di Rolle at 95km. There are two more Category 1 climbs stacked up over the next 27km before a long descent to the base of the final hump to Alpe di Pampeago, which climbs 740 meters in 18km. The stage has all the makings of a classic.

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More photos from the stage

Results posted below.