Celestino takes Trofeo Laigueglia
Italian cyclist Mirko Celestino, riding for the Saeco team, won Tuesday's Trofeo Laigueglia, a 173km run starting and finishing in the town of that name. It was an all-Italian podium with last year's winner Daniele Nardello of the Mapei team finishing second, and Davide Rebellin, of the Liquigas outfit, in third. The 26-year-old Celestino, who joined Saeco from the now defunct Polti outfit, nipped his rivals in a sprint finish to clinch victory in the race that has historically been the curtain-raiser on the Italian cycling season, though other races have already been staged this
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By VeloNews Interactive
Italian cyclist Mirko Celestino, riding for the Saeco team, won Tuesday’s Trofeo Laigueglia, a 173km run starting and finishing in the town of that name. It was an all-Italian podium with last year’s winner Daniele Nardello of the Mapei team finishing second, and Davide Rebellin, of the Liquigas outfit, in third.
The 26-year-old Celestino, who joined Saeco from the now defunct Polti outfit, nipped his rivals in a sprint finish to clinch victory in the race that has historically been the curtain-raiser on the Italian cycling season, though other races have already been staged this year.
After Rebellin and his Liquigas colleagues had made an unsuccessful breakaway bid 50km out, Celestino bided his time until 300m from home.
A one-day specialist, Celestino’s next target is the Milan-San Remo Classic. “I hope this success will build a bridge towards my San Remo dream,” he said.
Copyright AFP 2001
Results
LAIGUEGLIA, Italy, Feb 20
Results of 173km Trofeo Laigueglia race, starting and finishing in the town of that name.
1. Mirko Celestino (I) Saeco, 173km in 4:16.07; 2. Daniele Nardello (I), same time; 3. Davide Rebellin (I), same time; 4. Roberto Petito (I), same time; 5. Axel Merckx (B), same time; 6. Denis Lunghi (I), same time; 7. Nicolay Bo Larsen (Den), @:25; 8. Gianluca Bortolani (I), same time; 9. Raimondas Rumsas (Lit), same time; 10. Sebastian Demarbaix (B), same time.
