CYCLING GIRO D'ITALIA:ITALIAN RIDER Alessandro Petacchi took his second consecutive stage victory in the Giro d'Italia yesterday, beating Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream), Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre-NGC) and 54 others into Valdobbiadene.
The LPR Brakes rider took over the overall lead from Mark Cavendish after he was held up behind a crash.
Cavendish was looking in good shape as he chased down the leaders in the final stages, but the Colombia-Highroad man saw the road ahead blocked as around a dozen riders, including contender Levi Leiphemer, fell.
It was another good day for the sole Irish rider in the race, Philip Deignan. The 25-year-old Cervélo Test Team cyclist was 16th in the sprint, one place better than his finishing place on Sunday.
His performance moved him further up the general classification, going from 38th to 21st overall.
Petacchi is eight seconds clear of closest challenger Farrar in the overall standings, while Deignan is one minute and seven seconds back.
A shakeup in the general classification is guaranteed today when the race has its first summit finish.
The 162-kilometre race from Padova to San Martino di Castrozza will almost certainly see Petacchi give way to one of the better climbers in the race, and Deignan’s uphill prowess means he could advance higher up the general classification.
In other news, three strong British continental teams were yesterday confirmed for this year’s FBD Insurance Rás, which begins in Kilcullen on Sunday week.
Former winners Chris Newton and Kristian House will lead the Rapha Condor team, which also includes 2008 stage winner and yellow jersey holder Simon Richardson.
Sunday’s Lincoln GP winner Russell Downing will head the Candi TV-Marshall’s Pasta squad, having previously performed strongly on Irish soil when he led the Tour of Ireland last August and finished second overall.
The third strong pro team is the Team Halfords Bikehut selection. It includes Rob Partridge, who was third overall last year.
“British teams have long targeted a strong performance in the FBD Insurance Rás,” said race organiser Dermot Dignam, “and it’s clear that this year’s race will see an impressive challenge from across the Irish Sea.
“Together with the other teams already announced, we feel that this is going to be an extraordinary edition of the race, and one which will be remembered for quite some time.”
