41st Tirreno-Adriatico - ProT

Italy, March 8-14, 2006

Photography

Stage 7 - March 14: Campli - S.Benedetto Del Tronto, 166 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Petacchi-Shiva?
A nice victory for Alessandro Petacchi (Team Milram)
The final podium - Thomas Dekker (Rabobank), Jörg jaksche (Liberty Seguros) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital)
The Milram double
Petacchi gets his flowers...
... and kisses
Petacchi also won the Points Classification
Erik Zabel congratulates his teammate
Big hug!
The finish line interview

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) racing
Race leader Thomas Dekker at the start
Still hanging out...
... before the racing begins!
Dekker followed by Servais Knaven (Quick Step)
Dekker and Petacchi share a moment
But don't you tell anyone!
Today's bold breakaway: Joseba Albizu (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
Jörg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros)
The last curve before the finish straight
Hooray!
Zabel celebrates behind Petacchi's back
Greeting the crowd
The final podium
Riccardo Ricco of the Saunier Duval team
Discovery's Viatcheslav Ekimov enjoys some sunlight
Team Milram takes Petacchi to the line
Almost there!

Stage 6 - March 13: S.Benedetto Del Tronto – S. Giacomo (Monti Della Laga), 164 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Mario Cipollini feeling left out
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) and teammate Erik Zabel before the start
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) with Stefano Garzelli on his wheel
The peloton strung out through the start/finish
Ivan Basso (CSC) on a climb
Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) on a climb
The peloton ascends
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) goes off the front for some training
Rabobank protecting Thomas Dekker
Rabobank protecting Thomas Dekker
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) with Thomas Dekker on his wheel
The ascent of Thomas Dekker
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) looks more comfy than his teammates
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) in action
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) and Igor Astarloa (Barloworld)
Erik Zabel (Milram) in action
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) grabs a bite
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) surrounded by teammates
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) in the bunch
Rabobank protecting Thomas Dekker
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) in the pack
Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas-Bianchi) during the race
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) wins by 10 metres
Yeah.
Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) finishes
Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) finishes
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) smiles from the podium
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) gets a podium kiss
A new leader's jersey for Thomas Dekker
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) tries it on for size
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) dons the leader's jersey
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) gets a podium kiss

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) chats to Ale-Jet Petacchi
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) out of the saddle
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) descends in the peloton
Race leader Thomas Dekker (Rabobank)
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) looking good in the yellow and red
Rabobank stays in control
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) looks back and realises that he's won
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) holds off the pack to win stage 6
Woo hoo! Leonardo Bertagnolli crosses the line to win stage 6
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) celebrates his win in the sixth stage
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram, R) beats Ricardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) for second place
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) crosses the line
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) salutes from the podium
A happy Leonardo Bertagnolli on the podium

Stage 5 - March 12: Servigliano – Servigliano ITT, 20 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Fabian Cancellara (CSC) powers through the pain.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) was good enough for third, and took the race lead as a result.
Overnight leader Oscar Freire (Rabobank) lost his lead to his younger team-mate.
Oscar Freire's uncompetitive time trialling skills saw him drop to 15th place on the overall classification.
Stage winner Fabian Cancellara (CSC).
Fabian Cancellara (CSC) looking content with his stage victory.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) comes to terms with his win.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) has plenty of reasons to be happy!
Ricardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir).
Ivan Basso (CSC) was good enough for eighth.
George Hincapie (Discovery) came 12th.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) made the top ten.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) had a good ride today.
Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) finished 61st.
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) came 44th.
Not an aerodynamic time trialling position...
Joerg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros) grits his teeth on the way to fourth place.
Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) finished 23rd.
Massimiliano Gentili (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) finished well out of the placings.
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) came 36th.
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre).
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) lost his leader's jersey today.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) looking very happy with himself.
Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) would prefer to be someplace else.
If looks could kill - Murilo Fischer (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare).
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) wasn't out to set any records today.
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) still managed 30th place.
Ivan Basso (CSC) deep in concentration.
Ivan Basso (CSC) looking focused.
Ivan Basso (CSC) hungry to race.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) one cool customer.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) bites his lip.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) not looking too fussed about today's stage.
Davitamon-Lotto team-mates Peter Van Petegem and Robbie McEwen share a laugh.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) looking a little pooped after his time trial.
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) did very to finish fifth.
Ivan Basso (CSC) on his way to a top ten finish, but still some way off his best form.
Rubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duval-Prodir) at speed.
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) finished 11th.
Stage winner Fabian Cancellara (CSC).
Tom Danielson (Discovery) came 10th.
A delighted Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) could become the overall winner of Tirreno-Adriatico.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wasn't quite fast enough today.
George Hincapie (Discovery) finished just outside the top ten.
Leif Hoste (Discovery) enjoyed a great ride to finish second.
Joerg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros) also did well to come fourth.
Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) was some way off the mark today.
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) came 36th.
Daniele Righi (Lampre-Fondital) was not a contender today.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) rode well enough for ninth.

Stage 4 - March 11: Paglieta – Civitanova Marche, 219 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

The Milram express in motion as the peloton make their way to the finish in Civitanova Marche.
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) edges out Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) and Oscar Freire (Rabobank) to win the fourth stage in Civitanova Marche.
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) gets the victory salute happening as Petacchi looks on in despair.
What's Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel) doing?
The Belgies gather around at the start in Paglieta.
Michael Barry (Discovery Channel) rides beside his team car.
All mapped out.
Claudio Corioni (Lampre-Fondital) at the start in Paglieta.
Brazilians Murilo Fischer (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) and Luciano A Pagliarini (Saunier Duval-Prodir).
Open wide for Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank)!
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) receives some assistance taking his jacket off.
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) looking cheerful.
Looking up to Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi).
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) tucked away.
Christoph Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) with that pervasive French stare.
Looking down on Luca Paolini (Liquigas-Bianchi).
Luca Paolini (Liquigas-Bianchi) wouldn't mind his levers up a little higher.
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) makes some last-minute adjustments.
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir) in a world of his own.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) not looking so boyish these days.
The peloton ride through the rain.
A seven-man breakaway.
Warning - this photo could cause serious side-effects.
A contento Guido Trentin (Saunier Duval-Prodir).
Stefano Zanini (Liquigas-Bianchi) mucking around for the camera.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) edges out Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) and Oscar Freire (Rabobank) to win the fourth stage in Civitanova Marche.
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) raises his arms in triumph.
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) on the podium.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) should be enjoying himself!
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) in fine company.
There wasn't much in it...
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) knows he's won. Petacchi also knows...
I AM the God of Thunder!
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) with a winning smile.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) with that smile.
Caduta!
The crash victim turns out to be Filippo Simeoni (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare).
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) is braced before being transported to hospital.
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) receives some help.
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) is checked out.
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare) is lifted into the ambulance.
Erik Zabel (Milram) looking serious.
Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) checks his vision.
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) adjusts his sleeves.
The peloton on their way to Civitanova Marche.
Through a sleepy Italian town they go.
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) fine-tuning his form before M-SR.
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) looking like he's seen better days.
George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) will soon be tackling the roads of Roubaix.
There's Ivan Basso (CSC) in the peloton! G'day cobber!
Liquigas-Bianchi team-mates Luca Paolini and Stefano Garzelli.
Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) all rugged up.
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) eyes Ricardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir), with Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) on his wheel.
Is that Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) telling us he's not gay?
Ivan Basso (CSC) already looking very lean.
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) looking forlorn.

Stage 3 - March 10: Avezzano – Paglieta, 183 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Race leader Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) gets taken away in a stretcher.
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) is lifted into the ambulance.
Carnage on the roads to Paglieta.
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) is attended to immediately after his crash.
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) in plenty of pain.
Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) sets the pace in the break.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wins in Paglieta.
Yes! My first victory of the year!
Now that looks f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g...
Jaan Kirsipuu (Credit Agricole) looks like he's going to need a new bike, and looks a bit banged up himself.
Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas-Bianchi) rolls along in the cold.
Jaan Kirsipuu (Credit Agricole) limps away from his bike after a nasty crash.
Jaan Kirsipuu (Credit Agricole) sucks in the pain.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) is congratulated by his team-mate.
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir) finished third, looking understandably knackered after a crash-filled day.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) up on the victory podium for the first time this season.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) enjoys the winner's spoils.
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) rides up front.
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) not going too far into the red up towards the finish.
Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) using his good form gained in California here in Tirreno.
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) grimaces in the saddle.
Ivan Basso (CSC) slowly honing his form before the Giro.
Things were a bit chilly at the start in Avezzano.
Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) shows the face of someone who came second.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas-Bianchi) getting himself race-ready for the spring classics.
The Italian version of a lady's tea-party.
You want a piece of me?
Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) not looking forward to a cold day in the saddle.
The Efimkin brothers - Alexander (Barloworld) and Vladimir (Caisse d'Epargne) - came across to make seven fugitives in the break.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) in new team colours.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) clenches his fist as he wins in Paglieta.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) takes a few deep breaths after his victory.
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) on the podium.
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) congratulates Oscar Freire (Rabobank).
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) on the podium with that sardonic smile.
Jorg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros).
Andreas Kloden (T-Mobile) puts on his jacket.
Giuseppe Muraglia (Team L.P.R.) finished 28 seconds behind winner Oscar Freire (Rabobank).
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir) finished third
Not a fun day to be on your bike.
Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) is another honing his form before the Spring Classics.

Stage 2 - March 9: Tivoli – Frascati, 171 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) keeping warm
Mmm…food
Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) in the peloton
Team Milram working on the front
George Hincapie (Discovery) protected within the bunch
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wasn't afraid to get on the front
Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) in the fray
Stuart O'Grady (CSC) lies on the ground after a bad crash: He broke five ribs and a collarbone.
A Cofidis rider falls
On foot is the only way forward
Marcus Ljungqvist was another CSC rider down today
Bram Tankink (Quick.Step) leads Bettini at the foot of the climb
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) on the cobbles
Erik Zabel (Milram) climbs
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and his cohorts
CSC en masse
Daniele Contrini (LPR) putting Casper and the rest in difficulty
Jimmy Casper (Cofidis) works hard
Daniele Contrini (LPR) on the front of the break
Rinaldo Nocentini (Naturino) suffering a little near the finish
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wins the second stage
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) celebrates
Bettini celebrates after the finish
Bettini and Pozzato after the stage
Daniele Contrini (LPR) reflects on what might have been
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) on the podium in the leader's jersey

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

The Quick.Step boys chasing hard
Jimmy Casper (Cofidis) helps to initiate the break
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) in action on a descent
Paul Crake (Naturino) going hard
Daniele Contrini (LPR) on a descent
Daniele Contrini (LPR) making a bid for victory
Daniele Contrini (LPR) drives the breakaway
Daniele Contrini (LPR) in action
Erik Zabel (Milram) chats to Petacchi
Bram Tankink (Quick.Step) leads Bettini on a cobbled climb
Bettini and Tankink on the cobbles
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) on the cobbles
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) drives on the front
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wins with a big gap over Erik Zabel
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) on the podium in the leader's jersey

Stage 1 - March 8: Tivoli – Tivoli, 167 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Joaquin Rojas (Liberty Seguros) leads Simeoni in the early break
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino) working hard
The smiling assassin Ivan Basso (CSC)
T-Mobile as a block
Andreas Kloden (T-Mobile) in action
The peloton in the Roman countryside
Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) rides next to Stuart O'Grady (CSC)
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) in frame
Filippo Simeoni (Naturino) leads a breakaway
The peloton climbs with Wesemann and Astarloa tucked in
Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) climbs
Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) dons his first race jersey of the season
Erik Zabel is at least a foot taller than his Milram teammate Alessandro Petacchi
Ivan Basso (CSC) and Pippo Pozzato (Quick.Step) have a chat
Team Milram in action
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) leads the charge for the line
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wins the first stage from Zabel and Hushovd
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) signals victory
This is what the rest of the peloton saw at the finish
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) smiles on the podium
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) gets an Italian kiss
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) gets the first leader's jersey
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) puts on the first leader's jersey
A happy grillo

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Manuele Mori (L) and Leonardo Piepoli ride together
Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) beats Erik Zabel to win the first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico