FAENZA, Italy, 21 May 2003 — An aggressive attack by Gilberto Simoni in the Apennines hills allowed him to take the race leader’s pink jersey from fellow Italian Stefano Garzelli on the 10th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday.
Simoni finished third on the 202-km stage from Montecatini Terme to Faenza, one second behind stage winner Kurt Asle Arvesen of Norway, who finished in a time of five hours, 34 minutes, 25 seconds.
Paolo Tiralongo of Italy was second, with the same time as Simoni, who beat Garzelli over the line by 25 seconds and also gained an eight second time bonus for finishing third to take an overall lead of just two seconds.
“Until I climbed on the podium and they gave me the pink jersey, I didn’t believe I was the new race leader,” the 2001 Giro champion said afterward. “I missed out by one second last year but fortunately destiny was on my side today.”
Simoni’s attack 40km from the finish caused problems for Garzelli, who was isolated after his Vini Caldirola teammates were all left behind. Simoni caught the group of riders who had broken early on the stage and kept going on the tough final climb with Arvesen, Tiralongo and his Saeco team mate Leonardo Bertagnolli.
“When I attacked I told myself to make it hurt but I felt strong and wanted to stir things up a bit in the overall standings,” said Simoni. “I didn’t think the other overall contenders would let me go but when I got 30 seconds I paced myself really well and the other riders gave me a hand all the way to the finish.”
Garzelli said his next chance to regain the overall lead would be on the next mountain stage tomorrow.
“Simoni was very strong and kept going all the way to the line. I have to compliment him for his ride,” said Garzelli. “I wasn’t feeling great today but hope to go better on the big mountain stage to the summit of the Zoncolan on Thursday.”
Arvesen, who won the stage with a strong sprint in the final 100 meters, said the victory was the best of his career. “This is the best win of my professional career. I won the under 23 world title in San Sebastian, Spain in 1997 but this is special,” the Fakta rider said.
“I wasn’t sure I’d win the sprint. I knew it was going to be between me and Tiralongo. Fortunately he chased down Simoni in the final kilometer and so led out the sprint.”
The 222-km 11th stage today from Faenza to San Dona di Pave near Venice, is flat with no climbs and expected to suit the sprinters.
