Scarponi wins 2009 Tirreno-Adriatico
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
On yet another beautiful day on the Adriatic coast of central Italy, 23
year old Mark Cavendish showed his heels to the best sprinters in the
gruppo to win Stage 7 of 2009 Tirreno-Adriatico on the lungomare of San
Benedetto dell Tronto.
Cavendish pops his cork in San Benedetto dell Tronto
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
The Columbia speedster bested emerging American sprinter Tyler Farrar
(Garmin-Slipstream) who rode another world-class sprint at
Tirreno-Adriatico. A chuffed Cav told RAI-TV "I had a point to prove
today that I am the fastest sprinter and I did. My team gave me the
perfect leadout and I am happy to have a win here."
09 Tirreno-Adriatico podium: Martinez (Mountains), Scarponi (Overall),
Lövkvist (Best Young Rider), El Farès (Points)
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Meanwhile, In the middle of the gruppo compatto, local lad 29 year old
Michele Scarponi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) completed his comeback with
the first win by an Italian rider in la Corsa dei Due Mari in four years.
Despite his doping sins, Scarponi is still a likeable "raggazzo" and
his delighted fan club of loyal tifosi cheered him loudly enough with a
“Vamos Michele” to be heard in his village of Fillotrano 100km away.
Scarponi told RAI-TV's Alessandra DiStefano before the prize protocol
that "I had hoped to do well (at Tirreno-Adriatico) this year. I
prepared well and rode a good time trial and that made the difference."
Scarponi's Tifosi
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
When DiStefano asked Scarponi how he kept his morale going during his
18 month suspension, he winced a bit and said "well it went cosi,
cosi...but I kept going thanks to the support for my family and friends
and tifosi and I am happy to repay their support here." 44th
Tirreno-Adriatico runner-up Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè
Mokambo) had a bittersweet take on the race, as he explained "well this
is a great race for me at this very tough race, but I might have won if
I had raced a little better." Back in 5th place, 1'13" behind Scarponi,
Liquigas rider Ivan Basso was terse when he explained "I am happy with
my race", then looked forward to Saturday's Milano-Sanremo, saying "I
think (Daniele) Bennati is in great shape and we will be riding for him
100% at Milano-Sanremo." Although his Tirreno-Adriatico wasn't optimal,
LPR's Danilo DiLuca explained "I'm happy with my ride because my
objectives (Giro d'Italia) are in the future. (Alessandro) Petacchi is
very strong and we will be totally dedicated for him (at
Milano-Sanremo). Cavendish was also looking ahead to Saturday’s 293km
Milano-Sanremo, saying “I’ve raced that distance before. I’m only 23,
so it will be more for experience. I’ve tried the course and am more
worried about getting over the Cipressa (climb), than I am getting over
the Poggio.”
Il Fuga del Giorno: De Vocht, Ignatiev and Kaisen
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Today's Stage 7 started among the palm trees of the seaside resort of
San Benedetto dell Tronto at 11:54 and just 10km after the stage
started, three riders attacked on the lungomare at Cupra Marittima and
were given their freedom. Belgian Oliver Kaisen (Silence-Lotto),
Dutchman Wim De Vocht (Vacansoleil) and Russian Mikhail Ignatiev
(Katusha) went off the front and at the KOM in Montalto delle Marche,
won by Kaisen, the trio had a 8' lead. It was a mutt and jeff kind of
break, as De Vocht and Kaisen are both long, tall riders while
ex-trackie Ignatiev is a compact ball of muscles. After a ride through
the Marchigiana hinterlands, the trio ended up back in San Benedetto
dell Tronto, where they started the ten 10km finishing circuits with a
6' lead, but the sprinters teams had hit the front and upped the chase
pace. Eventually with just 10km and one lap to go, the gap was under a
minute. De Vocht sat up with 9km to race, while Kaisen and Ignatiev
continued for a while until the Katusha rider got antsy and popped away
solo, but was reeled in with 2.5km to go. Columbia sent strongman
George Hincapie to the front to set-up Cavendish and he did his job to
perfection. In the final sprint, Liquigas sprinter Benatti went long
from 250m. and the Manx speedster jumped on his wheel, then quickly
jumped off to win, closely followed by American Tyler Farrar.
44th Tirreno-Adriatico
Italy, March 11-17, 2009
Tuesday, March 17
Stage 7: San Benedetto dell Tronto-San Benedetto dell Tronto / 169km
1. Mark Cavendish (GB) Columbia 4h09'46" (40.597 km/hr. avg. speed)
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
3. Baden Cooke (Aus) Vacansoleil
4. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
5. Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Française des Jeux
44th Tirreno-Adriatico / Final General Classification
1. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Diquigiovanni-Androni 27h37'32"
2. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo @ 25"
3. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana @ 1'07"
4. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Columbia @ 1'10"
5. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas @ 1'13"
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