THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING »

Get the VeloNews Email Newsletter FREE

  Learn More | Archive
Home » Top Stories » Road »

87th Giro d'Italia: Petacchi makes it five

Fassa's sprint king makes it look so easy

Published: May. 19, 2004
Give the man a hand. Petacchi gets another.
Give the man a hand. Petacchi gets another.
Photo: AFP

Alessandro Petacchi applauded as he crossed the line a victor for the fifth time of the 2004 Giro d’Italia.

He wasn’t clapping for his fast legwork, but rather for his teammates in the trenches.

The gentleman sprinter was full of praise of his Fassa Bortolo “Silver Train,” who pushed the Italian to a relatively easy sprint victory in the hilly 146km 10th stage from Porto Sant' Elpidio to Ascoli Piceno.

“I clapped my hands in praise of my teammates. I really want to thank them for the work they did today,” said Petacchi, who finished ahead of compatriot Marco Zanotti (Vini Caldirola) and Latvian Andris Nauduzs (Domina Vacanze).

“After yesterday’s rest day I struggled to find my rhythm and with the hot weather also affecting me, I really suffered on the early climbs,” Petacchi said. “I didn't think I’d win but fortunately the team gave me a great lead and then I did the final 200 meters without breathing. A sprint is 10 seconds of intense concentration and it was liberation when I crossed the line first.”

The day’s early excitement came when eight riders peeled away at 20km into the stage. The break opened up a gap of three minutes, but Fassa Bortolo wouldn’t let them get too far away and the fugitives were caught with 20km to go.

A few riders tried their luck in the final run into Ascoli Piceno, including Australian Brad McGee (FDJeux.com). Monday’s stage-winner Freddy Rodriguez (Acqua & Sapone) got boxed in coming into the finish and could only muster 12th.

Five riders are no longer part of the Giro. Ivan Quaranta (Pinzolo Fiave), who crashed at the 18km mark, and Freddy Bichot (FDJeux.com) didn’t finish while Gianni Faresin (Gerolsteiner), Tomas Vaitkus (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) and sprinter Massimo Strazzer (Saunier Duval), who crashed heavily in Monday’s stage, didn’t start.

Petacchi is getting some serious podium time. Along with his stage victories, he's leading the points competition as well as the most combative and "Azzurri d'Italia" competitions.

With five wins, Petacchi is narrowing in on equaling the post-war record of seven stages in a single Giro. The Italian might have more difficulty in Thursday’s 228km 11th stage which includes a series of challenging hills.

Remembering Marco
Damiano Cunego (Saeco) retained his 10-second overall lead on Saeco teammate and compatriot Gilberto Simoni as both rolled through with the main bunch.

Cunego is his own man
Cunego is his own man
Photo: AFP

Many are already calling the 22-year-old Cunego a natural successor to Marco Pantani, the explosive climber who was dead of a cocaine overdose last February.

Thursday’s stage arrives at Cesena, the birthplace of fallen Italian hero who has been the focus of many tributes and signs from fans lining the course. The Passo del Mortirolo climb on stage 19 has been designated the “Montagna Pantani.”

The 2004 route, however, was chosen before the untimely death of Pantani, who was kicked off the 1999 Giro for having abnormally high hematocrit levels. Some have said that they don’t like the idea of the Giro visiting Cesena.

“Everyone has the right to say what they like but it’s not the best way to remember Marco,” said his manager Manuela Ronchi.

Cunego spoke out about Pantani’s legacy.

“Pantani was left to die on his own. When you win you suddenly have lots of friends but when you lose everybody abandons you,” he told Reuters. “Pantani suffered a lot during his life and didn't die as a champion should. Unfortunately, I don't think anybody could have done anything to help him. It was his destiny to die as he did.”

Full Results Are PostedTo see how today's stage developed, simply open our LIVE UPDATE window.

Photo Gallery