Russian cyclists still in top 10 at Giro d’Italia
Published 29 May, 2008, 06:38
Wednesday saw another day of drama in the Giro d’Italia. There were no changes in the overall standings, with Tour de France champion Alberto Contador holding his slim lead. But the Russian Tinkoff team continue to make strides in the latest stage.
Switzerland rather that Italy hosted Wednesday’s race. It was German Andrei Greipel who took the 146-kilometre Locarno stage for his High Road team.
Spaniard Albertro Contador retains the pink jersey for the Kazak Astana team. He’s still got that 40-second lead over Italian Riccardo Ricco. Russian Denis Menchov was seventh, two minutes off the pace.
But there was plenty to be pleased about for the Russian Tinkoff team. Without their main sprinter, Alberto Loddo, they were relying on Alexander Serov and Nikolai Trussov, who both squeezed into the top ten. Another of their teammates, Mikhail Ignatiev, also stole some limelight. He finished down the field after his brave attack in the closing kilometers was chased down.
On Thursday the riders head back over the border into Italy. The stage takes them from Mondrisio to Varese – 147 kilometres of undulating terrain.
It may be the last chance for the sprinters before the real mountain fireworks begin the day after.
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