ALPE DI PAMPEAGO, Italy — Italian Gilberto Simoni won the 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday after a superb climb in the final stretch, to increase his overall lead over main rival Stefano Garzelli.
Simoni attacked five kilometers from the finish of the 162-km stage from Marostica to Alpe di Pampeago and crossed the line 35 seconds ahead of compatriot Garzelli, who finished second, with Raimondas Rumsas of Lithuania a close third. It was his second stage win in three days.
“My legs hurt now but it was great to win in front of so many people from near my home in the Dolomites,” Simoni said.
Simoni now leads Garzelli by one minute and 19 seconds in the overall standings, with compatriot Andrea Noe third, 3:39 further back. Sunday sees the decisive time trial stage of the Giro from Merano to Bolzano. The 42.5-km course winds along the valley between the two Dolomite towns and a short climb 10 kilometers from the finish.
Garzelli is considered a better time-trialist than Simoni and could close the gap, but the leader said he would put up a fight.
“I’m not thinking about how much time I’ll lose to Garzelli, I just want to keep the leader’s pink jersey. I’m 1:19 ahead of Garzelli, it’s not a lot but I think it’s enough to keep the lead,” Simoni said.
Garzelli said he had not ridden an important time trial since 2001 but was hopeful of his chances. “I said I’d push myself to the limit today and I did. Simoni is going well but so am I. Simoni hasn’t gained as much time on me as he hoped to,” Garzelli said.
Aussie Rogers Takes
Lead of Tour of Belgium
In Mechelen, Belgium, Australian Michael Rogers took over the lead of the Tour of Belgium yesterday after a fourth stage won by Swiss time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara. Fassa Bortolo rider Cancellara claimed victory in the 21 km time trial with Quick Step rider Rogers coming second to push former race leader Axel Merckx down the overall standings. Canellara, 22, came in 10 secs ahead of Rogers with German Robert Bartko third a further three seconds behind.
