PISTOIA, Italy, 15 May 2005 — The Tour of Italy experienced its first real taste of drama yesterday as three contenders for the race’s pink jersey crossed swords during the seventh stage won by Spaniard Koldo Gil.
Gil claimed victory after a courageous breakaway which ultimately handed the pink jersey back to Pro Tour series leader Danilo di Luca — and gave CSC’s Italian contender, Ivan Basso, some unanticipated extra work to do.
Gil, of the Liberty team, came over the finish line of the 211km stage alone in just over 5hr 8min after a long breakaway which had formed with another 20 riders in the early stages before breaking up through the day.
However as 27-year-old Gil was savoring his biggest career win to date, the contenders for the pink jersey were conspiring to outdo each other — and Italian sensation Damiano Cunego, the reigning champion, proved the most cunning.
After Gil had crossed the finish line, Lampre-Caffita rider Cunego won the sprint finish from the chasing bunch to claim 12 precious bonus seconds, just ahead of Liquigas rider Di Luca, who took back the race leader’s pink jersey from Paolo Bettini after the Quick Step rider failed to follow the pace on the tough Sammomme climb.
Cunego’s sprint to the finish was naive, but extremely useful. The Italian sensation didn’t realize Gil had preceded him and he thought he was sprinting against Di Luca for the win.
Whether he meant to or not, it is likely it sent out a defiant signal to his teammate and former two-time winner Gilberto Simoni, whom he had dramatically usurped to win the race last year. It appears that Cunego may have plans for a repeat this year.
