Giro del Trentino - Ciclismo

Lake Garda air is good for Astana team and Giro del Trentino opening time-trial seemed to be the very model of last year's prologue. Such as Andreas Kloden won in 2009, it's Alexandre Vinokourov's turn now, since he was the main favourite not by case.

Impressive Kazakh team immediately displayed their ambitions as well as  their captain-manager's ones: after having kept perfect time in Torbole, "Vino" is now ready to jump on race's heaviest climbs, with top-finish in  San Martino di Castrozza (Wednesday) and finally Alpe di Pampeago (Friday). If so, 37-year-old Kazakh will deserve first line place at Giro d'Italia departure. "I don't think so - Alexandre said during post-race press conference - since I'd be content with much less, even a stage win might be enough. On Sunday I'll be in Liege with strong ambitions, better to measure out my efforts. Here in Trentino I even have lot of competitors strongly wishing to get the overall".
 

Opening stage outcome proved Vinokourov said the truth indeed. Shining Stefano Garzelli placed second, 16" behind "Vino", despite a heavy trip from Valencia to Arco, no-stop 1.700 km by car. Talented Italian youngster Matteo  Montaguti took a good third, overcoming damned inconvenience on the way (hole in the asphalt removed his aero-bars). Just behind him, with narrow margin, Michele Scarponi gave good feeling, as well as Ivan Basso did. Notwithstanding, Italian fans focused on his performance compared with Riccardo Riccò, and was Riccò to clock 5" better than Ivan.

Time-trial was less rewarding for Franco Pellizzotti and Gilberto Simoni, whilst day-1 main upset was Piet Rooijakkers, fifth, and evergreen Alessandro Bertolini who didn't disappoint his own tifosi along home course.

Giro del Trentino successful start-up, in a perfect weather's day, improved expectations loooking forward to Wednesday's second stage from Dro (departure at 11:00 am) uphill to San Martino di Castrozza, 1486 mt. high, after 172,5 km, last 17 to climb: Basso and Riccò are ready to fly, under "Vino"'s consent.

34th Giro del Trentino's Stage 1 (Riva del Garda-Torbole sul Garda of 12.5km, TT) results: 1st Vinokourov Alexandre (Astana, Kaz) km 12.5 in 15.07.44, media 49.590km/h, 2nd Garzelli Stefano (Acqua&Sapone, Ita) 16”, 3rd Montaguti Matteo (De Rosa Stac Plastic, Ita) 18”, 4th Scarponi Michele (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita) 23”, 5th Rooijakkers Piet (Skil Shimano, Ned) 25”, 6th Seubert Simon (Netapp, Ger) 27”, 7th Petrov Eugeny (Katusha, Rus) 28”, 8th Riccò Riccardo (Flaminia, Ita) 30”, 9th Bertolini Alessandro (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita) 32”, 10th Serpa Josè (Androni Diquigiovanni, Col) 32”, 13th Basso Ivan (Liquigas Doimo, Ita) 35”, 14th Igniatiev Michail (Katusha, Rus) 38”, 46th Simoni Gilberto (Lampre Farnese, Ita) 1.07”, 106th Pellizotti Franco (Liquigas Doimo, Ita) 1.36”, 
 
 
Overall standing: 1st Vinokourov Alexandre (Astana) 15’07”, 2nd Garzelli Stefano (Acqua&Sapone, Ita) 16”, 3rd Montaguti Matteo (De Rosa Stac Plastic, Ita) 18”, 4th Scarponi Michele (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita) 23”, 5th Rooijakkers Piet (Skil Shimano, Ned) 25”, 6th Seubert Simon (Netapp, Ger) 27”, 7th Petrov Eugeny (Katusha, Rus) 28”, 8th Riccò Riccardo (Flaminia, Ita) 30”, 9th Bertolini Alessandro (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita) 32”, 10th Serpa Josè (Androni Diquigiovanni, Col) 32”.

Photo: Alexander Vinokourov in action