Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) won Wednesday’s opener of Tirreno-Adriatico to take the bragging rights in the race stacked with sprinter talent. The win gives Petacchi a big boost following his upset loss to a resurgent Mario Cipollini (Liquigas-Bianchi) in the pair’s first duel of the season in the Giro di Lucca on Monday. Fassa Bortolo was back to its dominating self, executing the perfect train to deliver Petacchi to the line unchallenged in the 160km stage in Civitavecchia. Bernhard Eisel (FDJeux.com) finished second while Australian champion Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) took third. Cipollini missed out in the sprint after losing contact with the front bunch late in the stage. Liquigas-Bianchi worked hard over the final 10km to bring back the Lion King, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The equally on-form McEwen is the reigning green jersey champion for the Tour de France points classification, however the Australian powerhouse had to settle for third behind a Petacchi who, apart from a second place behind Mario Cipollini two weeks ago, has been virtually unbeatable this season.

That win gave the 31-year-old Petacchi an early season victory tally of ten wins.

Early in the race, a three-man group composed of Italian Giampaolo Caruso, Jose Luis Carrasco of Spain and Dutchman Karsten Kroon attacked at the 67km mark and built a lead of over three minutes on the peloton.

They were joined by first-year pro Luca Ascani of Italy, however it wasn't long till the chasing Fassa Bortolo men put the wheels into overdrive in a bid to get Petacchi's victory bid on track.

With only 12km remaining the leading group's lead had dropped to a mere 19 seconds, and in the ensuing kilometres Petacchi's team superbly controlled the race. Eisel and McEwen were the only riders able to join him in his sprint for the line, and both had to settle for the minor placings ahead of Thursday's second stage - a 181km ride from Civitavecchia to Tivoli.