It took until the twelfth day of racing but finally, Italy has a stage winner at this year's Giro d’Italia. However pre-race predictions were again turned upside down, as Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) took Italy’s first victory of the race on a stage that was made for the sprinters.
The front of the peloton was torn to shreds in the final 12km, as a star-studded breakaway fought for the honours. While Alexandre Vinokourov seemed content to hand over the race lead to Richie Porte yesterday, today the Astana captain was back on the attack, in a bid for victory and possible time bonuses.
However Pozzato has been around too long and is too cunning to get caught out by Vino's tricks. The Katusha rider timed his run to the line perfectly to first overpower Vino and Vincenzo Nibali, and then hold off Thomas Voeckler (BBox Bouygues Telecom) and Jerôme Pineau (Quick Step), who finished second and third respectively.
Result :
1. Filippo Pozzato (Ita) 191 km in 5u15'50"
2. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) z.t.
3. Jérome Pineau (Fra)
4. Stefano Garzelli (Ita)
5. Aleksandr Vinokoerov (Kaz)
6. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita)
7. Marco Pinotti (Ita)
8. Michele Scarponi (Ita)
9. Damiano Cunego (Ita)
10. Ivan Basso (Ita)
11. Robbie McEwen (Aus)
Picture : Belga