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| Ratti (2), Bertolini (1) and Froome (3) during the ceremony. (© Sirotti) |
In the hard Italian spring classic Giro dell' Appennino (moved to August from this year on) only seven riders were able
to stay on top after the toughest climb of the day, the Colle della Bocchetta, but it was on the way down the last hill, Col
dei Giovi, that the decisive action started. In fact, Alessandro Bertolini (Diquigiovanni) and Eddy Ratti (Nippo) attacked
in the descent, and were able to hold on the advantage over the last 15 kilometres separating them from the finishing line,
with experienced Bertolini taking the sprint win. In the drappel behind, both Chris Froome and Christian Pfannberger (both
Barloworld) repeatedly tried to attack, but it was only in the last few kilometres that Froome was allowed to hang loose and
finish third, just seconds behind the duo, while the Austrian ended the race in sixth position.
"It was very much like
a Tour de France stage , - said Froome, who finished the Grande Boucle in his rookie year as a pro - it was a hot day and
the Bocchetta climb was really hard. I can't be anything but happy with this result in such an important race."
Last year 37 year old Bertolini won the race as well.
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