Second place enough for American to maintain overall lead
Alessandro Petacchi is ecstatic (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Alessandro Petacchi has picked up where he left off at the Giro d’Italia, winning the first road stage of the Delta Tour Zeeland in the Dutch town of Goes, on Saturday. The LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini rider outsprinted overall race leader Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream), while Bobbie Tracksel (Vacansoleil) took third.
Petacchi’s victory in the 181 km stage was his eleventh individual win of the season and moved the Italian up into second place on the overall classification, six seconds behind Farrar.
It was a case of déjà vu for Farrar, who, on stage three of last month's Giro was also beaten to the line by Petacchi. There was, however, some consolation for the in form Farrar as he retained the overall leader's jersey. The American had picked up the leader's jersey after victory in Friday’s prologue.
The Garmin-Slipstream sprinter, who also holds the race's points classification, will hope to defend his overall lead in the Tour's final stage which finishes in the coastal town of Terneuzen on Sunday.
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