Blue-fucsia colors on Challenge Calabria

Petacchi of Team Lampre

Alessandro Petacchi performed an outstanding sprint that allowed him to add another victory in his palmares after Sunday success in Crotone and yesterday second place in Catanzaro.

The Italian sprinter, well supported by the whole team Lampre-Farnese Vini, realized a perfect sprint in the 4th stage (Soverato-Reggio Calabria, 165,7 km) preceding Gatto and Gavazzi.
On the podium of the overall standing there’s Daniele Pietropolli, 3rd at 29″ to the winner Montaguti; a place in the top ten for Bernucci too, 9th at 1′07″, and for Petacchi, 10th at 1′43″.

Fabrizio Bontempi, blue-fucsia sport director, explained how the victory was obtained: “The stage had been characterized by a three men breakaway that, after having reached a top advantage of 4′, was neutralized at 12 km to go. Then our team and the other ones that wanted to support their sprinters took the head of the bunch in order to prepare the sprint: our cyclists performed a perfect work and avoid dangerous such the wet road, two bends at 1500 mt to the arrival and an attempt by Liquigas to anticipate Petacchi sprint. Hondo was great in neutralized this attempt and in launching Petacchi in the last 180 mt”.

Ale Jet was very satisfied: “I’m happy for the win and for what the team showed: all my team mates performed a perfect race. I thought I was more tired after three days of race, instead I had a lot of energies during the sprint. Calabria Challenge gave me some important info, the most important is about Bernucci: he has been my precious guardian angel, being on my side during the race, being my contact with the sport directors and performing important work during the sprint”.