Tour of Mediterranean, Cat 2.3

1998 results     Other Stages     Stage 6, Arles - Béziers, 114 kms: Fabio Baldato (Ballan Alessio) was the fastest sprinter in final stage. David Rebellin also secured overall victory. He took the race leadership after winning Stage 1 on Mont Faron. After Cassani in 1994, Bugno in 1995 and Massi last year, Rebellin is the 4th Italian to win this race, which is organised by the 1967 Tour winner Lucien Aimar. Rebellin said afterwards that he will gain greatly from the race and will take his form into the Belgian classics in April, which are his major objective at present. Baldato, a professional since 1991, showed excellent form in the final stage. The last stage required the peloton to climb the 20 per cent 1.5 km long hill over the Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, in Marseilles, and this was ideal for Baldato. In the final selection, it was the Kazak rider Alex Vinikourov (Casino) who surged but was quickly passed by Baldato. Rebellin, who had been present in all the moves, was content to finish safely in a smaller bunch 5 seconds behind the leading 3 riders. The 26th edition of the race did not attract the top riders in the peloton. But the sprinting of Jan Kirsipuu (Casino) and the great showing by the Italian riders saved the race from mediocrity. The Italians in particular showed they will be the toughest riders this (northern) summer. 1. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Ballan Alessio 2.20.11 2. Alex Vinokourov (Kaz) Casino 0.02 3. Gert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 4. Andrei Ferrigato (Ita) Ballan Alessio 0.05 5. Giuseppe Palumbo (Ita) Riso Scotti 6. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Polti 7. David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis 8. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 9. Christopher Jenner (NZ) Crédit Agricole 10. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina s.t. Final GC 1. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Polti 17.23.39 2. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 0.32 3. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina 0.37 4. Christopher Jenner (NZ) Crédit Agricole 0.46 5. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Ballan Alessio 0.49 6. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank 0.51 7. David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis 0.53 8. Patrick Jonker (Ned) Rabobank 0.55 9. Axel Merckx (Bel) Mapei-Quickstep 1.05 10. Stuart 0'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole 1.14