bicycle.net -- cycling news, product reviews, original essays, podcasts & video :: beijing olympics 2008

TIVOLI, Italy, May 17, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Riccardo Ricco, riding for the Saunier Duval team, won the eighth stage of the Tour of Italy here on Saturday, edging out two-time world champion and compatriot Paolo Bettini while another Italian, Giovanni Visconti of Quick Step, retained the leader’s pink jersey.

Ricco clinched a sprint finish after a run through the countryside around Latium, outside Rome.
Davide Rebellin placed third and another Italian, Franco Pellizotti, fourth as the home riders dominated the day’s proceedings.

“I didn’t think I could do it but (sporting director) Pietro Algeri said to go for it and think about the 20 bonus seconds. So I went for it,” said Ricco.

“I still felt tiredness in my legs from the previous day,” he admitted.

Bettini saluted his Quick Step teamates for pushing all the way.

“My teammates were perfect. it didn’t quite come off but Ricco, today ,was strong and canny,” he said.

After 42km a five-strong group comprising Adam Hansen (High Road), Daniele Nardello (Diquigiovanni-Androni), Fortunato Baliani (CSF), Mathieu Perget (Caisse d’Epargne) and Alessandro Spezialetti (LPR) broke away but were rapidly reined in.

Australian time trial champion Hansen was hauled in 2km from the line and Ricco timed his late push to perfection as the man nicknamed the Cobra made it three career stage wins after last year’s success in the Dolomites and then at Agrigento a week ago.

Ricco found just a little extra as he surged for the line after Danilo Di Luca saw a late challenge fade in the final 500 meters.

Sunday’s ninth stage, ahead of a rest day, comprises a relatively flat 218 km ride from Civitavecchia to San Vincenzo which will favor the sprint specialists.

Alberto Contador goes down and hits the pavement

Photos Courtesy of: Cor Vas (www.corvaspro.com)