Second sprint win for Petacchi
Source: Agencies |
July 8, 2010, Thursday
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ITALIAN Alessandro Petacchi surged to his second sprint victory of this year's Tour de France in the 153.5-km fourth stage to Reims yesterday.
The 36-year-old Lampre rider, who won the first stage in Brussels, charged in the final stretch to beat New Zealand's Julian Dean and Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara retained the overall lead at the end a quiet ride compared to the havoc and crashes of the two previous days.
Briton Mark Cavendish, winner of six stages in 2009, was closely watched by his rivals and he failed to deliver once again.
The rider from the Isle of Man was ideally positioned by teammate Mark Renshaw in the finale but was incapable of changing gear when Petacchi powered to the finish line. It was Petacchi's 156th career victory, strengthening his position as the most successful active rider. It was also his sixth Tour stage victory.
"I'm really happy ... I had nothing to lose, and I wanted to try my chances," said Petacchi. "At this stage in my career, winning two Tour stages is really important."
Meanwhile, Luxembourg champion Frank Schleck has had a plate and six screws inserted into his broken collarbone, his Saxo Bank team said yesterday.
Schleck needed surgery on the injury he sustained when he crashed during a cobbled section of Tuesday's third stage of the Tour de France to Arenberg.
"Frank went back to the hotel to say goodbye to his brother Andy and his team mates," Saxo Bank media officer Rene Thill said.
"He then went to Luxembourg for surgery, which lasted until three in the morning. It was a double fracture and he received a plate with six screws," Thill added.
Schleck, who was fifth in the 2009 Tour, told team chief Bjarne Riis he was hoping to be ready for the Tour of Spain on August 28.
"But we don't know yet how long it will keep him out of action," Thill said.
Schleck is a big loss to the Saxo Bank team and especially younger brother Andy, who was runner-up to Alberto Contador in last year's Tour and may have needed Frank's backing in the mountains.
"It's true that there is a very close relationship between them but Andy has matured a lot since last year," said sports director Bradley McGee.
The 36-year-old Lampre rider, who won the first stage in Brussels, charged in the final stretch to beat New Zealand's Julian Dean and Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara retained the overall lead at the end a quiet ride compared to the havoc and crashes of the two previous days.
Briton Mark Cavendish, winner of six stages in 2009, was closely watched by his rivals and he failed to deliver once again.
The rider from the Isle of Man was ideally positioned by teammate Mark Renshaw in the finale but was incapable of changing gear when Petacchi powered to the finish line. It was Petacchi's 156th career victory, strengthening his position as the most successful active rider. It was also his sixth Tour stage victory.
"I'm really happy ... I had nothing to lose, and I wanted to try my chances," said Petacchi. "At this stage in my career, winning two Tour stages is really important."
Meanwhile, Luxembourg champion Frank Schleck has had a plate and six screws inserted into his broken collarbone, his Saxo Bank team said yesterday.
Schleck needed surgery on the injury he sustained when he crashed during a cobbled section of Tuesday's third stage of the Tour de France to Arenberg.
"Frank went back to the hotel to say goodbye to his brother Andy and his team mates," Saxo Bank media officer Rene Thill said.
"He then went to Luxembourg for surgery, which lasted until three in the morning. It was a double fracture and he received a plate with six screws," Thill added.
Schleck, who was fifth in the 2009 Tour, told team chief Bjarne Riis he was hoping to be ready for the Tour of Spain on August 28.
"But we don't know yet how long it will keep him out of action," Thill said.
Schleck is a big loss to the Saxo Bank team and especially younger brother Andy, who was runner-up to Alberto Contador in last year's Tour and may have needed Frank's backing in the mountains.
"It's true that there is a very close relationship between them but Andy has matured a lot since last year," said sports director Bradley McGee.
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