Ricco wins stage at Trentino

Riccardo Riccò (Flaminia) might not be the most popular rider in the peloton, but he won against some pretty elite company in Wednesday’s summit finish in stage 2 at the Giro del Trentino.

Riccò surged to his third victory since coming off a racing ban for doping during the 2007 Tour de France out of a small group full of riders coming off different doping bans.

Riccò out-kicked Alexander Vinokourov – back from a two-year ban for blood doping during the 2007 Tour – to claim victory in the first-category finish at San Martino di Castrozza.

Crossing the line third was defending champion Ivan Basso, who also served a racing ban for admitting his role in the Operación Puerto blood doping ring in 2006. Michele Scarponi, who also admitted his role in Puerto, crossed the line seventh.

“This, without a doubt, is a great victory against important riders,” said Riccò, who also won two stages Settimana Lombarda earlier this month. “After the finish, Vinokourov came to me to congratulate me. I did not see Basso.”

Unlike Basso and Vinokourov, Riccò won’t be going to the Giro d’Italia next month because his Flaminia team was not invited by race organizers.

Vinokourov, a winner in Tuesday’s prologue, maintained the leader’s jersey with a solid ride in the mountains of northern Italy.

The 36th Trentino tour continues Thursday with the 164km third stage from Fiera di Primiero to Trento. The stage features two climbs, with the day’s first hurdle coming early with the Cat. 1 Passo Rolle climb at 24km, followed by the second category Monte Sover at 81km.

Stage 2
1. Riccardo Ricco (Ita), Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce In 4:47:59
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), Astana, S.T.
3. Ivan Basso (Ita), Liquigas Doimo, S.T.
4. Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col), Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti Pvc Diquigiovanni, S.T.
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita), S.T.

Overall, after Stage 2
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan), Astana, in 5:03:00
2. Riccardo Ricco (Italy), Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce, at 0:26
3. Michele Scarponi (Italy), Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 0:29
4. Ivan Basso (Italy), Liquigas Doimon, at 0:37
5. Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Colombia), Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 0:38

FILED UNDER: News / Race Report / Road TAGS: Giro del Trentino / Riccardo Riccò