7th Giro del Trentino Alto Adige - 2.9.1

Italy, May 19-21, 2000

Stage 1 - May 19: Trento-Lagundo, 90 km

Ziliute grabs stage one

At the start in sunny Trento were 134 cyclists from 24 teams. For the first 40 km the bunch was "gruppo compatto" due to the headwinds. The first attempt at a breakaway was in Cortaccia at the top of the only climb. At the GPM the Finnish rider Pia Sundstedt (Gas Sport) was 1.00 ahead of Russian Svetlana Boubnenkova and Australian Tracey Gaudry.

However, on the descent the bunch regrouped and in the last 30 kilometres only Svetlana Boubnenkova (three times), Roberta Bonanomi and Tracey Gaudry tried to attack. Each time the sprinter's teams closed the gap, and about 80 cyclists arrived for the final sprint.

Lithuanian Diana Ziliute pulled off a great sprint, winning by about 15 meters. The young Aussie, Alison Wright tried for the victory but the Ziliute was too fast and too far. In third place was the German Tanja Hennes, with Sundstedt in fourth. Tracey Gaudry finished 8th for the Australians.

Alison Wright gained some satisfaction as she wore the white jersey as the best young rider. Tomorrow second stage: 89.7 Km. from San Michele a/a to Castello di Fiemme. With 3 climbs this should be very difficult. Alessandro's pick: Pia Sunstedt.

Results

1. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Acca Due O-Lorena Camicie     2.20.05 (38.548 km/h)
2. Alison Wright (Aus)  A.I.S. Australia		0.02
3. Tanja Hennes (Ger) Euregio Egrensis
4. Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Gas Sport Team
5. Oksana Saprjkina (Ukr) Michela Fanini
6. Giovanna Troldi (Ita) Edilsavino
7. Daniela Veronesi (Smr) Alfa Lum
8. Tracey Gaudry (Aus)  A.I.S. Australia
9. Sara Felloni (Ita) Alfa Lum
10. Svetlana Boubnenkova (Rus) Edilsavino

Mountains: Pia Sunstedt (Fin) Gas Sport Team
Points:  Schmidt (Ger) Germany
1st International rider:  Oksana Saprjkina (Ukr) Michela Fanini

Results and report courtesy of Alessandro Gretter/James Victor