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1st Criterium Marco Pantani - NE
Cesenatico, Italy, June 5, 2004
Cunego wins Pantani memorial
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Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego (Saeco) has won the first criterium held in memory of deceased Italian climbing star Marco Pantani. The race, held in Pantani's home town of Cesenatico, attracted 54 professionals and was held on a hilly circuit. The strong teams were Saeco, Fassa Bortolo and Alessio, who worked hard to set up the race for the attacks by their respective team leaders. The first time up the final climb, a group of 15 riders escaped, led by Fabio Sacchi (Fassa Bortolo). On the second time up the climb, Cunego attacked and was marked by Pellizotti. Cunego won the sprint and the pair finished with 15 seconds to spare on Panaria's Luca Mazzanti with Filippo Pozzato taking fourth.
"I wanted to win to dedicate the victory to Marco," said Cunego at the finish. "I want to thank all of the fans alongside the roads that cheered for all of us and for Pantani. I hope that Marco is pleased with the way we remembered him. There were many riders and it was a nice race."
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Second placed Franco Pellizotti added, "I am very happy to have been able to remember in this manner a champion like Pantani. The result is secondary, what mattered was to be present".
Luca Mazzanti said that, "I came here only for Marco. I raced together with him and had grown fond of him. It is clear that in the race it was difficult to compete with people like Cunego and Pellizotti. I am happy with my third place."
Finally, fourth placed Filippo Pozzato said, "For the young guys, Marco Pantani was an indescribable myth. To be here to remember him was the least we could do. To see how many people still love the Pirate is an emotion that should make everyone reflect."
Photography
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) holds a wreath dedicated to Marco Pantani.
- Damiano Cunego and the president of Club Magico Pantani, Signore Savini.
- Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave') and Damiano Cunego (Saeco) hold a wreath dedicated to Marco Pantani.
- Quaranta and Cunego take the wreath to the cemetery where Marco Pantani is buried.
- Damiano Cunego lays the wreath in front of the site of Marco Pantani's ashes.
- The modest gravestone marking Marco Pantani's burial site.
- More riders gather around the cetemery where "Il Pirata" is buried.
- It still hard to believe Marco Pantani is gone.
- Damiano Cunego and Marco Pantani's father in conversation.
- Giro winner Damiano Cunego.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) waves to the tifosi at the start in Cesenatico, Italy.
- Filippo Pozzato (Fassa Bortolo) at the start.
- The peloton en masse at the start in Cesenatico.
- The peloton pass by Marco Pantani's home.
- The peloton tackle the hilly part of the circuit.
- The pace in the peloton heats up.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) speaks with Filippo Pozzato (Fassa Bortolo).
- The hilly course would have been to Pantani's liking, being the gifted climber he was.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) creates the race-winning move the second time up the climb.
- Damiano Cunego attacks.
- Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) counters Cunego's move.
- Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) and Cunego (Saeco) work together to form the race-winning break.
- Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) leads Cunego (Saeco).
- Cunego and Pellizotti.
- The peloton fly by the centre of Cesenatico, Marco Pantani's birthplace.
- The peloton in the streets of Cesenatico.
- Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) and Cunego (Saeco) continue to maintain their advantage.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) know he's won and is about to celebrate.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) wins the race ahead of Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi).
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) receives a pair of smooches.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) holds his trophy high.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) kisses his trophy.
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) happily signs autographs after his win.
Results - 60 km
1 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco 2 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 3 Luca Mazzanti (Ita) Ceramiche Panaria-Margres 4 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
