Like yesterday the finale was tailor made for the types of riders, who normally do well the hilly
classics. Ricardo Riccò's victory was the result of his team´s efficient work neutralising the attack
of five riders, who took off after 42 kilometres.
In the breakaway group were Daniele Nardello (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli), Alessandro
Spezialetti (LPR Brakes), Mathieu Perget (Caisse d´Epargne), Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare), and Adam Hansen (High
Road). The group had a maximum lead of just over six minutes. But the attackers never had a real chance to win the stage
as Quickstep controlled the race. With 12 kilometres to go Aussie Adam Hansen attaked out of the breakaway group but with 3 kilometres to go all escapees were caught.
Aussie Hansen tried to stay on the front but the High Road rider was caugh by the chasing bunch
as well.
Leonardo Piepoli´s efforts were the key to Riccò´s success, controlling the group until Danilo di
Luca (LPR Brakes) launched an attack from behind with 300 metres remaining. Riccò´s response was so fast that it led him to
his second Giro win this year (triumph nº 9 in two years and a half as a pro), plus a 20" bonus. Riccò moved up to fifth place
in the overall. Riccò now also leads the points classification and therefore the Saunier Duval rider will wear the "maglia
ciclamino" tomorrow. Giovanni Visconti defended his overall lead.
Stage winner Riccardo Riccò said: "I feel fine, I´m in great shape. I didn´t
think I could make it today. But Pietro Algeri told me to give it a go because the twenty-second bonus could be useful. So
I tried, and he was right. The team did a wonderful job and Piepoli helped me a lot also today. Piepoli is just great. I'm
extremely happy. These two stage wins make me feel secure, and I´m looking forward to the mountains. That is where my Giro
starts. And then again, unlike all my rivals, I have invaluable help: Piepoli´s."
Road World Champion Paolo Bettini came in second. Bettini said: "I can’t
speak highly enough of my team, which once again was faultless. We planned this stage well and I lost on the finish line against
a rider who’s on truly great form. Congratulations must go to Riccardo".
Last
years Tour de France winner Alberto Contador hit the deck and has bruised
tendons and muscles in the right elbow. Contador was treated by the race doctor but was fine to continue on the race.
Tomorrow's stage will reveal how bad it is. It is not ideal to have a crash a few days before an important time trial
and it remains to be seen if he is able to maintain the aerodynamic position in the time trial.
A group of 39 riders came in with the same time as Ricardo Riccò. In this group
were all race favourites. CSC sports director Kim Andersen said: "For us today was mainly about getting through as painless
as possible because it wasn't the kind of stage where we wanted to use a lot of energy. Everything went according to plan
and our guys made it to the finale in good shape without time losses. We've got to admit it's a very tough race put on by
the organizers this year and if we're to have any hopes regarding the overall standings we can't go for each stage at the
same time."
Tomorrow's 9th stage will take the riders along the coast for another tailor-made day for
the sprinters. The bunch will start in Civitavecchia and finish in San Vincenzo after more
than 218 kilometres.
The big guns will have to put their cards on the table after
Monday’s rest day. On Tuesday there’s the 39.4 kilometres long individual time trail from Pesaro to Urbino, a
race against the clock in which the Astana team, which has been riding very defensive from Sicily to Lazio, finally will have
to show if the team is capable to win this years Giro d'Italia. Before the start at Rivisondoli, Levi Leipheimer said: "It’s
true that we have been saving energy during this first week, but that was also inevitable. The team has three captains, though
if I have to name a name I’ll go for Contador. We’ll see who’s in better shape."
Defending champ Danilo Di Luca is more affraid of Andreas Klöden. Di Luca said: "Klöden is rival number
one, as regards both the Urbino time trial and overall victory in the Giro. He’s more dangerous than Riccò." In the
Saunier Duval-Scott camp predictions are less pessimistic: "I’m not afraid of the German. I’ll lose him on the
climb. If I remain calm and don’t allow nerves to get the better of me, I don’t think I’ll lose much ground,"
Ricardo Riccò said.
