MAROSTICA, Italy, 24 May 2003 — Italy’s Alessandro Petacchi won the 149-kilometer 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, for his fourth victory in this year’s race.

The Fassa Bortolo rider beat compatriots Daniele Bennati and Stefano Garzelli in a sprint at the end of the stage from Pordenone to Marostica.

Gilberto Simoni finished in the same time as the winner and retained the leader’s pink jersey. Petacchi dedicated the victory to his former teammate Denis Zanette who died of a heart attack in January at just 29 years old.

“This is for Denis Zanette. I saw his wife and baby daughter this morning when we stopped to remember Denis in his hometown of Sacile.

“It was a very emotional moment because last year I shared a room with Denis during the Giro d’Italia. Seeing his wife this morning gave me the determination to win today,” the 29-year-old said.

“I’m sorry we chased down Dario Frigo after he attacked in the final kilometers but that was the team order.

“I felt good today and knew I had a good chance of winning.”

By finishing third on the stage Garzelli took an eight-second time bonus and reduced his gap on race leader Simoni to 36 seconds.

The two former Giro champions are expected to fight it out for the pink jersey in today’s tough mountain stage from Marostica to the summit of Alpe di Pampeago, which finishes at an altitude of 1740 meters. “I felt good and so decided to have a go. I wanted to break up the bunch and try and win the sprint for the time bonus,” Garzelli, winner in 2000, said.

“When I saw that Petacchi was back with us near the finish I followed him and knew I’d still have a chance for second or third. Eight seconds isn’t a lot but it’s a boost to my moral for Saturday’s mountain stage. I’ll be trying to stay with Simoni, or at least lose as little time as possible, and then I’ll give it everything in Sunday’s time trial. Whatever happens the next two days of the Giro will be vital,” Garzelli said.

Simoni, the 2001 champion, said he was surprised by his rival’s attack on the stage but promised that he would go all out today.

“Garzelli surprised me but I immediately chased after him because I realized he was trying to take the time bonuses.

“Twenty seconds for first place is quite a lot but fortunately the race came back together,” the Saeco rider said.

“Tomorrow will be a very difficult stage, there are four tough climbs and it will be hard for everybody. I know I can’t wait for later in the race, I have to attack to try and gain as much time as possible.

“With Marco Pantani and Francesco Casagrande going well, I’ve got several rivals but I’ve got to put time (between me) and Garzelli. He’s my biggest rival for the Giro,” he said.

Ullrich Set for Tour de France

After UCI Approve Bianchi

The International Cycling Union (UCI) yesterday officially accepted the registration of Jan Ullrich’s new team, Bianchi, paving the way for the former Tour de France winner to compete in this year’s race.

Ullrich’s new team, who stepped in to the fray at the eleventh hour after the suspension of his former team, Coast, can now look forward to participating in this year’s centenary race which begins on July 5.

As agreed by Tour organizers, Bianchi will be awarded the final 22nd team place, which had originally been reserved for the German Coast team. A UCI statement said: “Following the suspension of Team Coast on May 9, 2003 and following subsequent developments which caused all riders of this TT (trade team) to leave, thus suspension of its activity, the UCI announces the registration of the Bianchi Trade Team.

“Following the Professional Cycling Council’s previous agreement, on principle, on the registration of Bianchi, the UCI has revised the file presented by this company.

“As a result of this decision, Team Bianchi detains, as of today, all rights of participation to races on the international calendar, and rights in general linked to a TT Top Club status.”

A decision on the inclusion of Bianchi among cycling’s elite had not been expected until next week, however a review of the team’s financial dossier yesterday apparently satisfied the UCI top brass and the decision to include them in this year’s Tour de France was taken earlier.

“The independent legal and financial structure of the Bianchi Team, the willingness to commit to cycling for the next few years, the fact that this TT is welcoming all the riders and staff from Team Coast wishing to join it, as well as the economical guarantees provided, allow the UCI to approve their integration to the Top Clubs as they prove satisfactory to all regulation-aspects,” the UCI statement added.