Battling Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, of Fassa Bortolo, won a speedy 16th stage of the Tour of Italy toay after a 207 km ride from Arco-Trento to Pavia. The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after a dramatic crash during Sunday's time trial but got back on his bike in a bid to finish the race and win the points jersey prize when the Giro arrives in Milan next week. He thus takes his wins on the race to five having won four stages in the opening week. Italian Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) retained the leader's pink jersey, with main rival Stefano Garzelli still sitting almost two minutes behind.
Petacchi, who was covered in strapping for the injuries sustained in his time trial crash, only decided hours before the stage to stay in the race. With two of the Giro's best sprinters - Italian Mario Cipollini and Australian Robbie McEwen - having already abandoned Petacchi had a special incentive to ride on. His decision proved fruitful and he finished one of his trademark bursts to the finish line to beat diminutive French sprinter Jimmy Casper convincingly. Czech rider Jan Svorada took third place ahead of Italien Daniele Bennati.
Monday's stage was raced at a speedy average of more than 44 kph and was brought to life in the early stages by two riders, Pole Piotr Chmielewski and Ukrainian Sergei Avdyeyev, who after a daring breakaway were finally caught 44 km from the finish.Petacchi, who wore the leader's jersey for six days at the start, is determined to finish the Giro in Milan in the cyclamen jersey which is given to the race's points winner.
Filed by James Boylan
