Axelsson scores win at Settimana

Niklas Axelsson’s career looked dead in the water when he tested positive for EPO at the 2001 world cycling championships. He admitted his guilt and was later banned for four years by the Swedish cycling federation.

The 35-year-old then mounted a comeback in 2004, but was stricken with testicular cancer in 2007 only to reappear yet again with Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli this season.

Persistence paid off Wednesday when he won the 175.6km second stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali in Italy.

After a strong performance at Milan-San Remo, the reborn Axelsson started an early sprint with 1500m to go in the stage into Faenza to out-kick a dozen riders who escaped over the Monte Trebbia about 25km from the finish.

Stefano Garzelli (Acqua e Sapone) led the bunch across the line in second at nine seconds back to inherit the leader’s jersey from Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas), with Axelsson slotting into second at four seconds in arrears. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) finished fourth in the stage and nudged into fifth overall at 13 seconds back.

The Italian race continues Thursday with the 199.4km third stage that features a Category 1 climb some 30 kilometers from the arrival.

FILED UNDER: Road