35th Tirreno-Adriatico - 2.HC

Italy, March 14-21, 2001

Stage 5 - March 18: Campli-Torricella Sicura ITT, 14.2 km

Fassa Bortolo TT's into the lead

Roberto Petito
Photo: © Bettini

Serguei Ivanov (Fassa Bortolo) has become the new leader in the ever-changing Tirreno-Adriatico. The Russian placed third in the 14.2 kilometre stage 5 time trial, finishing behind teammate Roberto Petito (1st) and Festina's David Plaza (2nd). Ivanov now leads Petito by just 1 second, with Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) another second behind.

Petito, winner of the Trofeo Pantalica, clocked 19'47 (43.061 km/h) on the flat course that started in Campli and finished in Torricella Sicura. It was a good comeback for the Italian, who had spent 6 months of last season out with illness.

"I owe a lot to Giancarlo Ferretti [DS of Fassa Bortolo] who continued to trust in me," said Petito. "I gave it everything today and rode very well, but I don't know if I am back to my former level."

"I made a bet with the team doctor that I could finish in the top 3. I won," he added. However, he said it will be up to Ferretti and Ivanov to see whether he will try for the leadership in the race. "Ivanov is going strong - if he can win, none of us would try to steal it."

As for Ivanov, the Russian commented that "There are seven riders within ten seconds. I enjoy first place, to say who will win is impossible".

Tomorrow's 136 kilometre sixth stage is from San Patrizio Monte to San Pietrangeli, and is considered to be reasonably hard.

Results

1 Roberto Petito (Ita) Fassa Bortolo              19.47 (43.061 km/h)
2 David Plaza (Spa) Festina                        0.02
2 Sergei Ivanov (Rus)  Fassa Bortolo               0.04
4 Gabriele Colombo (Ita) Cantina Tollo             0.05
5 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco Macchine per Caffe  
6 Bradley McGee (Aus) Francaise des Jeux           0.08
7 Ruslan Ivanov (Mda) Alessio                      0.12
8 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas                   0.13
9 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                   0.15
10 Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank                       
11 Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Panaria                    0.16
12 Oscar Camenzind (Swi) Lampre-Daikin             0.21
13 Marco Serpellini (Ita) Lampre                   0.24
14 Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo        0.28
15 Abraham Olano (Spa) ONCE                        
40 Romans Vainsteins (Let) Domo-Farm Frites        0.53
119 Johan Museeuw (Bel) Domo-Farm Frites           2.09
164 Erik Zabel (Ger) Telekom                       3.02

General classification after stage 5

1 Sergei Ivanov (Rus) Fassa Bortolo            16.31.20
2 Roberto Petito (Ita) Fassa Bortolo               0.01
3 Gabriele Colombo (Ita) Cantina Tollo             0.02
4 David Plaza (Spa) Festina                        0.03
5 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas                   
6 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco Macchine per Caffe  0.06
7 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                   0.08
8 Ruslan Ivanov (Mda) Alessio                      0.13
9 Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank                        0.16
10 Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Panaria                    0.20
  
Points classification
  
1 Dmitri Konyshev (Rus) Fassa Bortolo            22 pts
2 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco Macchine Per Caffe    20 
3 Marcus Zberg (Swi) Rabobank                    19 
  
Mountains classification
     
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo             17 pts
2 Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo                 15 
3 Elio Aggiano (Ita) Mapei Quick Step             8