SAN REMO, 19 March 2006 — Italy’s Filippo Pozzato surprised the sprinters with a late burst of speed to win the Milan-San Remo ProTour cycle race yesterday.
The 24-year-old Quick Step rider was part of a six-man attack that went clear on the Poggio climb. They were almost caught in the final 500 meters of the 294-km race but Pozzato sprinted ahead alone on the finishing straight to win by a few meters.
Alessandro Petacchi of Italy finished second and compatriot Luca Paolini was third.
Pozzato’s teammate and world champion Tom Boonen of Belgium finished fourth.
“It’s a dream come true to win Milan-San Remo. This is the race I’ve always wanted to win and now I’ve done it,” Pozzato said.
Pozzato initially went with the attack on the final climb to protect his Quick Step team leaders Boonen and Paolo Bettini. When he saw the peloton was about to sweep them up he seized the initiative and jumped away alone.
Petacchi tried to close the gap with his powerful sprint but could not catch Pozzato. “I knew I was in good form but stayed cool throughout the race,” Pozzato said. “I went with the attack on the Poggio and then pushed the speed on the descent. I thought we were going to be caught but then (Rinaldo) Nocentini attacked 400 meters out. I decided to chase him and go for the win.
“It was early to start sprinting but I felt strong, went past Nocentini and held off the chasers. This is the greatest win of my life.” Pozzato was considered a cycling prodigy after turning professional at just 18. He has won several minor races but until Saturday had always struggled to live up to expectations.
“I’ve been criticized for not being a dedicated rider but now I’ve showed I can win big races,” he said.
“This win is for all my supporters and my family who always believed in me and is a huge personal satisfaction.” With the win Pozzato moved up to third place in the season-long ProTour competition.
American Floyd Landis still leads the rankings with 52 points. Thomas Dekker of the Netherlands is second with 51 points and Pozzato has 50 points.
The next race on the ProTour competition is the Tour of Flanders in Belgium on April 2.
