THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Petacchi grabs one at Romandie
Alessandro Petacchi continued on his winning ways, charging to his 15th win of the 2005 season in Wednesday’s first stage of the Tour de Romandie. And it’s not even May yet.
The Milan-San Remo champion out-kicked Tom Steels (Davitamon-Lotto) on the 167km circuit course to snag a soggy victory in central Switzerland.
"Winning is never easy when you're the favorite, but my team did a great job yet again," Petacchi said. “It was a tough stage because we raced hard and the weather was pretty bad all day. Fortunately we went through the finish area three times during the stage and so I knew it was a little bit difficult and carefully planned how to ride it with my teammates.”
Prologue winner Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) finished safely in the main bunch to retain the overall lead, though Petacchi moved into a tie thanks to time bonuses.
Despite the tie for the overall, Petacchi said he wasn’t hunting the yellow jersey. Instead, he insists Romandie remains a launching pad for what he hopes will be a successful Giro d’Italia, starting May 7 in Regio Calabria.
“This race is part of my final preparation for the Giro d'Italia and so I wasn't desperate to win, but I'd never won a race in Switzerland before today and so it's nice to have got one at Romandie,’ he said.
Fabio Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) crashed late after pulling for Petacchi, causing several riders, including Angel Vicioso (Liberty Seguros) to get caught up behind the melee.
Early in the stage, Belgian Sebastien Rosseler (Quick Step) and Italy's Ivan Ravaioli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) carved an eight-minute lead, but were reeled in with 25km to go after Pereiro's Phonak team took control of the race.
The Tour de Romandie continues Thursday with the hilly 172km second stage on another circuit course in Fleurier.
Tour de Romandie, Stage 1, Avenches-Avenches, 167km
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita), Fassa Bortolo 3h42:55
2. Tom Steels (Bel), Davitamon-Lotto
3. André Korff (Ger), T-Mobile
4. Stefano Garzelli (Ita), Liquigas-Bianchi
5. José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa), Iles Baleares - all same time
Overall standings after one stage
1. Oscar Pereiro (Spa), Phonak 3h47:21
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita), Fassa Bortolo same time
3. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita), Discovery Channel +0:02
4. Bradley Mc Gee (Aus), FDjeux +0:03
5. Sébastien Rosseler (Bel), Quick Step +0:05
