May 17, 2008

Riccò scores again

SAUNIER DUVAL-SCOTT´s Riccardo Riccò blasted up the final straight in Tivoli to win stage eight of the 91st Giro d´Italia, 208 kilometres from Rivisondoli. "La Cobra", winner of stage two in Agrigento and last year´s stage to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, held off World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner). His victory was the result of his team´s efficient work neutralising the escape of five riders, who stayed ahead from Km. 42 to three before the finish line. The escapees were Daniele Nardello (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli), Alessandro Spezialetti (LPR Brakes), Mathieu Perget (Caisse d´Epargne), Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare), and Adam Hansen (High Road, the last to be caught). Leonardo Piepoli´s efforts were key to Riccò´s success, controlling the group until Danilo di Luca (LPR Brakes) launched an attack from behind with 300 metres remaining. Riccò´s response was so fast that it led him to his second Giro win this year (triumph nº 9 in two years and a half as a pro), plus a 20 second time bonus and a better place (5th) in the GC (still led by Giovanni Visconti of Quick Step), plus the "maglia ciclamino" to the leader of the Points Classification. This is SAUNIER DUVAL-SCOTT´s third victory this year, after Luciano Paglarini´s stage win in the Tour of California and Riccò´s strike in Italy six days ago. Tomorrow, the race is going back along the coast (Mar Tirreno this time), for another tailor-made day for the sprinters. Stage nine will go from Civitavecchia to San Vincenzo over 218 kilometres. Then, on Monday, the riders will have their first rest day.

COMMENTS
Riccardo Riccò: I feel fine, I´m in great shape. I didn´t think I could make it today. But Pietro Algeri told me to give it a go because the twenty-second bonus could be useful. So I tried, and he was right. The team did a wonderful job and Piepoli helped me a lot also today. Piepoli is just GREAT. I´m extremely happy. These two stage wins make me feel secure, and I´m looking forward to the mountains. That is where my Giro starts. And then again, unlike all my rivals, I have invaluable help: Piepoli´s.”