Fearless Petacchi blocked out in Britain

Alessandro Petacchi, 34, fearless in his return after a doping suspension

Alessandro Petacchi, 34, fearless in his return after a doping suspension (Image credit: Gerry McManus)

Alessandro Petacchi of Team LPR Brakes, winner of stages in all three of cycling's Grand Tours, blasted back in his first race since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued him a 12-month suspension. The 34 year-old Italian from La Spezia won the Tour of Britain stage one and, despite being blocked out in stage two to Newbury, he remains fearless in the high-speed sprints.