Trofeo dello Scalatore Race 1, Cat 1.4

Brief:

In the first race, Saeco dominated and the big hitters like Pavel Tonkov and Bobby Julich lost time. The two Saeco riders Donati and Leonardo Piepoli were away together and one might have thought it would present a "fight in the family" situation as to who would win. But when the finale is studied it is clear that the result was an intentional strategy.

Donati attacked on the last climb (6 kms from the end) and this was the conclusive move for the race. On the beginning of the same climb, Fondriest, Lelle and some other Cofidis riders, evidently working to bring their leader Bobby Julich into contention were pushing the pace. The pressure split the team which had been together up until that stage. The American could not do anything and went backwards fast. The pressure his team put on the race worked to destroy Julich and he suffered badly in the last 6 kms and lost 8.13.

At this point, Saeco launched the counter-attack up the final half of the climb with Piepoli preparing the way for Donati. Only Laddomada could respond and stay on their wheels.

Just behind was a small group of Fois, Faresin, Malberti, Gasperoni and Ongarato. And then a series of small groups which were losing time fast, including Pavel Tonkov's group which came in at 4.43.

With only a few kms left, Laddomada tired under the relentless pace imposed by Donati and Piepoli. With the work done, Donati surged at the end to win by around 30 metres from Piepoli.

Piepoli is now considered the favourite for the three stage overall classification and Donati will work for him in Stage 2. The previous favourites Tonkov and Julich are seemingly out of contention after their disastrous days in Stage 1.

Donati, who profitted from his teammate's help, won his second victory for the season (he also won a stage in the Tour of Austria) and his 6th overall win. He told the press afterwards that: "For this win I must recognise Piepoli and the team. I have won because of their protection. Piepoli is a great climber. I helped him win a stage in Burgos and now he has returned the favour. We are great friends and we have shared rooms while on Tour all season."

Donati, a professional since 1992, will renew a contract with Saeco in the next few days.

Piepoli shook his hand at the end and said that he was happy to help Donati after the Tour of Burgos. He also indicated that the team will help him in the overall Trophy. He also said he has not yet renewed his contract with Saeco.

To emphasise the problems that riders like Laddomada, Ongarato, Gasperoni, Malberti, Faresin, Fois and Pozzi have to topple Piepoli, today is the second race on the program for the Trophy. It is the toughest because the peloton have to climb over 40 kms today - a third of the overall race. 9 kms of climbing is confronted almost immediately and another 30 towards the end to reach the finish at Macugnaga at an altitude of 1,327 metres.

La Biella - Oropa, 134 kms:

  1. Massimo Donati (Ita) Saeco             		     3.19.34 (40.287)
  2. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saeco				0.08
  3. Michele Laddomada (Ita) Scrigno				0.43
  4. Rodolfo Ongarato (Ita) Ballan				1.34
  5. Cristian Gasperoni (Ita) Amore e Vita			1.35
  6. Fabio Malberti (Ita) Asics					1.39
  7. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi				1.43
  8. Valentino Fois (Ita) Vini Caldirola			1.43
  9. Oscar Pozzi (Ita) Asic					1.50
 10. Andrea Patuelli (Ita) Amore e Vita				1.50
 11. Filippo Simeoni (Ita) Asics				1.58
 12. Stefano Cattai (Ita) Ballan				2.01
 13. Daniel Atienza (Spa) Polti					2.08
 14. Aldo Zanetti (Ita) Scrigno					2.18
 15. Amilcare Tronca (Ita) Ballan				2.28
 16. Oscar Mason  (Ita) Brescialat-Liquigas			2.32
 17. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi			2.33
 18. Tim Jones (Zim) Amore e Vita				2.34
 19. David Plaza (Spa) Cofidis					2.42
 20. Gianluca Valoti (Ita) Polti				2.54
 21. Alexander Moos (Swi) Saeco					3.10
 22. Roland Meier (Swi) Cofidis					3.26
 23. Maurizio De Pasquale (Ita) Amore e Vita			3.34
 24. Cristian Auriemma (Ita) Scrigno				3.36
 25. Alain Turicchia (Ita) Asics				3.36
 26. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco				3.57
 27. Massimiliano Gentili (Ita) Cantina Tollo			4.08
 28. Alexander Shefer (Kaz) Asics				4.40
 29. Gabriele Missaglia (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi			4.41
 30. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Bricobi				4.43
 ..
 42. Enrico Zaina (Ita) Brescialat-Liquigas			6.13
 47. Alessandro Baronti (Ita) Cantina Tollo			6.27
 58. Bobby Julich (USA) Cofidis					8.13
 67. Mirco Celestino (Ita) Polti			       11.14

Started: 95
Finished: 92

Past Winners

1990 Gusmeroli
1991 David Cassani
1992 Alberto Elli
1993 Pascal Richard
1994 Xenon Jaskula
1995 Pellicioli
1996 Marco Fincato
1997 Pavel Tonkov