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Ricco sprints to Giro win
17/05/2008 18:05 - (SA)
Tivoli - Italian Riccardo Ricco, riding for the Saunier Duval team, won the eighth stage of the Tour of Italy on Saturday, edging out two-time world champion and compatriot Paolo Bettini while another Italian, Giovanni Visconti of Quick Step, retained the leader's pink jersey.
Ricco clinched a sprint finish after a run through the countryside around Latium, outside Rome.
Davide Rebellin placed third and another Italian, Franco Pellizotti, fourth as the home riders dominated the day's proceedings.
After 42km a five-strong group comprising Adam Hansen (High Road), Daniele Nardello (Diquigiovanni-Androni), Fortunato Baliani (CSF), Mathieu Perget (Caisse d'Epargne) and Alessandro Spezialetti (LPR) broke away but were rapidly reined in.
Australian time trial champion Hansen was hauled in 2km from the line and Ricco timed his late push to perfection as the man nicknamed the Cobra made it three career stage wins after last year's success in the Dolomites and then at Agrigento a week ago.
Ricco found just a little extra as he surged for the line after Danilo Di Luca saw a late challenge fade in the final 500m.
Sunday's ninth stage, ahead of a rest day, comprises a relatively flat 218km ride from Civitavecchia to San Vincenzo which will favour the sprint specialists.
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