Settimana Ciclista Internazionale - Cat. 2.4

Italy, March 22-26, 2000

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Stage 2 - March 23: Chianciano-Montecatini Terme, 237.8 km

Bettini leads from Basso

Italian Paolo Bettini (Mapei) won today's second stage of the Settimana Ciclista Internazionale, 244 km between Chianciano and Montecatini, in the process taking over the leader's jersey from compatriot Oscar Cavagnis (Alexia). Bettini led Ivan Basso (Amica Chips) and Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) home in a bunch sprint.

The stage was marked by a long breakaway from Fassa Bortolo's Andrea Ferrigato who attacked after 22 kilometers and the bunch did not react. He reached a maximum lead of 20:25 by the 123 kilometer mark before the chase started in earnest. IT was prompted by Mapei and Mercatone Uno, who were being very active in spite of the absence of their leader Pantani. Ferrigato was caught 12 kilometers from the line and the attacks began on the short climb of Vico approaching the finish.

Nothing succeeded, and Bettini's Mapei team provided him with an excellent lead out for him to take the stage. Tomorrow, stage 3 will take the riders on a flat run between Montecatini and Ferrara for 180 kilometers.

Results

1. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step		     	    6.14.39 (39.717 km/h)
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Amica Chips-Tacconi Sport
3. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas-Pata
4. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Regain
5. Dario Frigo (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
6. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
7. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Simerdec
8. Stefano Della Santa (Ita) Alexia Alluminio
9. Pascal Richard (Swi) Linda McCartney
10. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step
11. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Albacom
12. Andrea Noč (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step				0.07
13. Mirko Gualdi (Ita) Mobilvetta Design-Rossin			0.56
14. Giancarlo Raimondi (Ita) Liquigas-Pata
15. Mario Scirea (Ita) Saeco-Valli & Valli
16. Paolo Bossoni (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Regain
17. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Amica Chips-Tacconi Sport
18. Richard Virenque (Fra) Polti
19. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Fassa Bortolo
20. Igor Pugaci (Mda) Saeco-Valli & Valli

General classification after stage 3:

1. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step		    	     9.58.27
2. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas-Pata				0.01
3. Ivan Basso (Ita) Amica Chips-Tacconi Sport			0.02
4. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Albacom			0.05
5. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
6. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step		
7. Dario Frigo (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
8. Pascal Richard (Swi) Linda McCartney
9. Stefano Della Santa (Ita) Alexia Alluminio
10. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Regain
11. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Simerdec
12. Andrea Noč (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step				0.12
13. Oscar Cavagnis (Ita) Alexia Alluminio			0.56
14. Fabiano Fontanelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Albacom		1.00
15. Giancarlo Raimondi (Ita) Liquigas-Pata			1.01