It was a comeback of sorts for both protagonists in Friday’s hard-fought third stage at the Tour de Romandie.

Damiano Cunego – winless so far in the 2005 season – emphatically put to rest any notion that he’s not up to the task of defending his Giro d’Italia title.

Santiago Botero, meanwhile, slipped into the leader’s jersey after two frustrating and unproductive seasons in the T-Mobile/Telekom team.

For both, it was a return to the winner’s circle. And it bodes well for both riders as they look to larger goals later in the season.

Cunego slipped ahead Russia's Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Santiago Botero (Phonak) at the summit of the 13km climb to the finish in the ski resort of Anzère to take his first win of the season.

"After winning the Giro d'Italia last year, there's a lot of pressure on me to win but after working hard in recent weeks I've finally got a victory," Cunego said. "Winning boosts my moral and helps me stay relaxed. Now I'm ready for the Giro.”

Botero seizes the lead

Photo: Graham Watson

"It's a surprise to have won because before the start of the stage I said I'd use it for training. However, I felt good on the final climb, benefited from the work of the other riders and then attacked several times near the finish."

Botero moved into the lead thanks to his strong ride in Tuesday’s opening prologue, sitting now two seconds ahead of Cunego and 10 seconds ahead of Menchov.

For Cunego, his future is more pressing, with the Giro waiting next weekend. Following the stage victory, he’s confirmed himself as one of the favorites for victory in the season’s first grand tour.

The 23-year-old from Verona dedicated the victory to his pregnant girlfriend after revealing he is to become a father in August.

“This win is for my family and my girlfriend Margherita, who will give birth to our baby daughter," he said. “We're both very young but our families will help us and the baby well help me mature even faster.”

For Botero, it was a return to good memories after two luckless years with Telekom. After Romandie, he’ll look to arrive in the Tour de France in top form, where he’s won stages both in the mountains and in the time trials.

“I’ve trained well in Colombia, but I didn’t know how I would be until the race,” Botero said. “I knew from the beginning that it would be difficult against Cunego. Now we’ll try to defend the jersey to Sunday.”

Prologue winner Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) was hoping for more but finished 20th at 1:50 back. It was a strong ride for Manuel Beltran (Discovery), who moved into the top five overall.

The Tour de Romandie continues Saturday with the 150km mountain stage from Chatel St Denis to Les Paccots and concludes with Sunday's 20.4km individual time trial in Lausanne.

Tour de Romandie, Stage 3, Aigle to Anzère, 146.5km
1. Damiano Cunego (Ita), Lampre-Caffita 3:45:49
2. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, same time
3. Santiago Botero (Col), Phonak, at 0:04
4. Daniel Atienza (Spa), Cofidis, at 0:09
5. Manuel Beltran (Spa), Discovery Channel, s.t.

Overall standings after three stages
1. Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak 11:50:34
2. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Caffita, at 0:02
3. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank, at 0:10
4. Manuel Beltran (Spa) Discovery Channel, at 0:22
5. Daniel Atienza (Spa) Cofidis, at 0:28