THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Sacchi takes over Down Under
Saeco’s Fabio Sacchi has learned one thing about racing in Australia: forget trusting anyone, even your mates.
Sacchi took the race lead by winning yesterday's second stage through the Barossa Valley to Kapunda.
The result continues the Milan rider's success in the event, which includes two spells in the yellow leader's jersey and a stage win from the 2001 and 2002 races.
Asked what his past appearances in the race had taught him, he said he came away with just one clear lesson.
“I learned not to trust anyone, including your friends,” Sacchi noted.
By Sunday, when the 735km race ends in Adelaide, such a skeptical philosophy could again hold true.
Sacchi (Saeco) could find his biggest enemy in the tour will be Queenslander Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo), whom the Italian praised after Wednesday’s stage.
Going into Thursday's 164km third stage from Glenelg to Hahndorf, Sacchi leads by 16 seconds from McEwen and has 18sec on Frenchman Cedric Herve (Credit Agricole).
Sacchi and McEwen worked strongly together in early chase groups and in the final six-man breakaway that formed 10km out.
It was not until 500m to go that Sacchi attacked, just as McEwen was stretching after suffering cramps in both legs.
“I have a lot of respect for Robbie. He worked real hard throughout the whole stage,” Sacchi said. “He was the No.1 rider going into the sprint finish. I can't thank him enough. If I won it was thanks to Robbie.”
McEwen did not use his cramps as an excuse. “Maybe it was (due to) nerves creeping up to the finish. But Sacchi was just too strong,” the Aussie said.
The day began with South Australia's Russell Van Hout (Uni SA) attacking after 27km. After gaining a seven minute-plus lead, several chase groups formed.
On the first major climb of the tour, Mengler Hill at 103km, Van Hout's lead was two minutes over the next two groups. The second included McEwen and Sacchi.
But by 125km there was a 12-strong front group from which the final six-man breakaway came with 10km to go.
Among those to lose time were overnight leader Baden Cooke, last year's winner Stuart O'Grady and Graeme Brown, relegated to last in the first stage for dangerous riding.
O'Grady (Credit Agricole) is ninth overall at 29sec, Cooke (FDJeux.com) 34th at 2min 5sec and Brown 60th at 2min 35sec.
