Giro del Trentino - Ciclismo

First Riccardo Riccò, second Alexander Vinokourov, third Ivan Basso. Giro del Trentino's second stage outcome delighted  the organizers of the Italian race, who are fully aware how such result might make envious to any top-event. Unfortunately cycling fans feel disappointed now, since Riccardo Riccò will miss them at the upcoming Giro d’Italia. “I surely got a heavy win, Vinokourov came to me to congratulate. Basso? I didn’t see him”, so Riccò underlined never ending dualism with Ivan, another missing subject to highlight the up-coming “Corsa Rosa”.

In the Dolomiti shade, race lead to the finish few scatter riders uphilling towards San Martino di Castrozza, where Riccò sprinted in style, well-knowing his better itchy legs. No way to clash him for Vinokourov (holding the leader jersey) or Ivan Basso. Among further favourites, Michele Scarponi  (ranked 7th) appeared in good shape , unlike Gilberto Simoni (1'28") and Franco Pellizzotti (1'35"), whilst Stefano Garzelli had a very bad day as he reached the finish line 13'35" behind.

Notwithstanding, until the top-riders took the initiative, few outsiders kept first Giro del Trentino high-mountain stage  in their hands, mainly Bonnafond, Celli, Brutt, Rodriguez, Fajt and Kiserlovski, latest escapèes to give up just 4 km to go. “I also was afraid – said Riccò – to lost this opportunity, because of remarkable gap they got”. Who expected main favourite march out earlier had to be patient, although it was worthy going indeed.

For the time being, Riccò appears as the main candidate to achieve the overall, also keeping Vinokourov statements as good: "I cannot stress myself at 100%, upcoming Liege-Bastogne-Liege falls next Sunday”, the Kazakh confirmed. About what Basso concerns, he cannot clash Riccò in the sprints that means precious time-bonuses to lost. “I really don’t know the favourite’s name – Riccò cut the story short – much better to await couple of days and see”.

On Thursday, the third stage should give a unique opportunity to the sprinters, first and foremost Alessandro Petacchi, on the finish line placed in Trento’s downtown after not nearly easy 164 km (with Passo Rolle to climb just few km after departure). City of Trento is going back to host a stage of Giro del Trentino after 20 years.

34th Giro del Trentino stage 2 (Dro – San Martino di Castrozza) - Results: 1st Riccò Riccardo (Flaminia, Ita) – 162.4km in 4:47’59”, 33.835km/h; 2nd Vinokourov Alexandre (Astana, Kaz); 3rd Basso Ivan (Liquigas Doimo, Ita); 4th Serpa Josè (Androni Diquigiovanni, Col); 5th Pozzovivo Domenico (Colnago CSF, Ita); 6th Pardilla Sergio (Carmioro, Esp); 7th Scarponi Michele (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita); 8th Valjavec Tadei (Ag2r, Slo) 6”; 9th Frei Thomas (BMC, Sui) 11”; 10th Kiserlovski Robert (Liquigas Doimo, Cro); 33th Simoni Gilberto (Lampre Farnese, Ita) 1’28”; 36th Pellizotti Franco (Liquigas Doimo, Ita) 1’36”; 84th Garzelli Stefano (Acqua&Sapone, Ita) 13’35”.
 
Overall standing: 1st Vinokourov Alexandre (Astana, Kaz) 5:03’00”; 2nd Riccò Riccardo (Flaminia, Ita) 26”; 3rd Scarponi Michele (Androni Diquigiovanni, Ita) 29”; 4th Basso Ivan (Liquigas Doimo, Ita) 37”; 5th Serpa Josè (Androni Diquigiovanni, Col) 38”; 6th Frei Thomas (BMC, Sui) 51”; 7th Petrov Evgeny (Katusha, Rus) 55”; 8th Valjavec Tadei (Ag2r, Slo) 1’06”; 9th Kiserlovski Robert (Liquigas Doimo, Cro) 1’07”; 10th Miholjevic Vladimir (Acqua&Sapone, Cro) 1’10”.

Photo: Riccò celebrates his win with spumante TRENTODOC