GP Etruschi changes hands

By Gregor Brown

Italy's season opener is changing hands. For the next three years the GP Costa degli Etruschi will be organized by Associazione Ciclistica Arona di Antonio Bertinotti (AC Arona). An agreement was reached on Saturday morning in Castagneto Carducci (Livorno) to hand the race over to the club that organizes many of the post-Giro d'Italia criteriums.

"We believe that we have made a good decision. We have trust in our staff, who have the confidence and reliability to guarantee success that is connected to the season's first race," noted Antonio Bertinotti.

2007 will mark the 12th edition of the race also known as the GP Donoratico. Run in Early February, the race is typically won by sprinters, with wins by Mario Cipollini and Jaan Kirsipuu, and two years going to Alessandro Petacchi.