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Trofeo Laigueglia, Italy

14 February, 183.3K

Ballan Gunes 'em Down in Trofeo di San Valentino

Main

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) gunned-down victory in the 43rd Trofeo Laigueglia, leaving his escape companions for dead. The 26 year-old joined part of an elite escape group of 17 early on, which included the likes of Bettini, Celestino and Figueras. When this group splintered Ballan was there to form part of a new group that stayed clear to the line. Ballan proved he is as tough as leather on the parcours of the Corsa Ligure, a parcours that is designed for the strong sprinter.

The day's affairs were tough from the word go in Liguria, two-thirds of the peloton were immediately shelled after the start. Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) had his eyes on a victory at the finish near the port of Alassio. The Toscano made the early move of 17, which also including Mirko Celestino (Milram) and Giuliano Figueras (Lampre-Fondital), but failed later in the race.

The group of 17 worked well over the Passo del Ginestro (670m), but then splintered after the Passo del Balestrino (690m). Five riders went clear: Steve Cummings (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), Rinaldo Nocentini (Acqua & Sapone), Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and final winner, Ballan.

Bettini was fuming at missing the break, edging forward his companions, especially Figueras, to try to close the gap. Up front Ballan was feeling the funk (or form), putting in a move at 6K that was finally dragged back by Caucchioli. After this move the five kept together until the final K when when the Veronese, Caucchioli, put in a couple of small moves. The accelerations were nullified and the five approached the final 500m. Ballan easily thundered to a sprint win, with only Cummings staying close.

"This year all the grand racers are winning soon," said Ballan after the race. "This race is a good sign for me and now I will look forward to the northern races ... It is a good phase: four months ago my daughter was born, I completed work on my new home and the results have given me justification. I hope that this magic moment continues."

Results: 4:33'15", 40.249K/hr
1 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Fondital
2 Steve Cummings (GBr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
3 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
4 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Milram
5 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Crédit Agricole
6 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) Cofidis 0.16
7 Giampaolo Cheula (Ita) Barloworld 1.06
8 Mirko Celestino (Ita) Milram
9 Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Lampre-Fondital
10 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick-Step
11 Gabriele Bosisio (Ita) Tenax-Salmilano
12 Raffaele Illiano (Ita) Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni
13 Alexandr Arekeev (Rus) Acqua & Sapone
14 Moisés Dueñas (Spa) Agritubel
15 Sergio Ghisalberti (Ita) Milram
16 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
17 Nicolas Crosbie (Fra) Agritubel 3.08
18 Dainius Kairelis (Ltu) Amore & Vita-McDonald's
19 Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Tenax-Salmilano
20 Roberto Petito (Ita) Tenax-Salmilano
....