42nd Tirreno-Adriatico - ProTour

Italy, March 14-20, 2007

Photography

Stage 7 - March 20: Civitella del Tronto - San Benedetto del Tronto, 177 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Waiting for the start in Civitella del Tronto.
• The opening neutralised section of stage seven.
• Riders had to negotiate some narrow streets in Civitella del Tronto.
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) grabs some lunch.
• Dario Andriotto (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) drives the peloton.
• Paolo Bettini (QuickStep) gets a shove after a puncture early in the race.
• A bird's eye view of the world champ.
• Carlos Da Cruz (Française Des Jeux) came to grief on one of the descents but managed to rejoin the race.
• Dario Cioni (Predictor-Lotto) enjoying the spring sunshine.
• Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) has been struggling with flu symptoms the past few days.
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) in the leader's jersey.
• Klöden had relatively easy final stage.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) didn't figure in the bunch sprint today.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) held onto the points jersey.
• Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo)
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner)
• Alessandro Spezialetti (Liquigas)
• T-Mobile lead the peloton up a climb.
• The magenta gang were keen to protect Kim Kirchen's second place on GC.
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) poses with Luxembourg champion Kim Kirchen
• Klöden rides comfortably in the peloton.
• Koldo Fernandez surprises O'Grady
• Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) wins the final stage in San Benedetto del Tronto.
• Fernández celebrates in front of Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC)
• Fernández was pretty happy with his first professional victory.
• Today's stage winner Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) on the podium.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Andreas Klöden (Astana) rides along in the overall leader's jersey.
• Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) nabs his first pro win.
• A thrilled Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) over Gabriele Balducci (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) and Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC).
• Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) roars on his way to winning.
• Victory Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) wins and unusual sprint.
• Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) gets it on the final day of Tirreno
• Klöden and Kirchen after the stage.
• Kisses for Spaniard Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) after winning stage 7 of Tirreno.
• Bubbly time for the stage winner Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
• Klöden points towards the symbol of Astana and Kazakhstan.
• Klöden and Vinokourov revel in their superb work.
• Klöden on the podium in the final leaders's jersey.
• Top three of the 42nd Tirreno Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile), Andreas Klöden (Astana) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) (l-r).
• 42nd Tirreno-Adriatico Podium Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile), Andreas Klöden (Astana) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) (l-r).
• Klöden salutes the crowd on the final day.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) had a great Tirreno that included two stage wins, the overall points jersey and a stint in the leader's jersey.
• Oscar Freire lost time on stage seven
• The motorcade leads the peloton out of town
• Linus Gerdemann (T-mobile) can't stop riding to pull up those arm warmers.
• T-mobile sets the pace
• Leader's jerseys in the front at the start of stage seven
• Ricco in magenta of best young rider
• Bettini rides along
• The T-mobile train leads Kirchen
• Predictor-Lotto surrounds McEwen
• Klöden congratulates Kirchen on his torturous clashing colour combination
• An even bigger mug for Klöden
• A big mug for Kirchen
• Still more podium photos
• Ricco gets the young riders' jersey
• Commesso in the climber's jersey
• Klöden at the bus
• Bettini and Pozatto shake hands - or air arm wrestle?
• Bettini and Pozatto pose for the cameras
• Rabobank social time before the start
• Francesco Moser gives Bettini some advice
• Klöden and Kirchen enjoy the view at the start
• Riders await the start in Civitella del Tronto
• Bettini and Ale-Jet at the back of the pack
• Petacchi gets a vest from the Milram team car
• Klöden heads for the podium
• Fernandez was ecstatic to get up on the podium
• On the final podium Kirchen, Klöden and Vinokourov
• Astana gets together to protect the leader's jersey
• After fighting with the jersey Klöden struggles to open the champagne
• The peloton through a fish's eye
• On with the jersey
• Klöden struggles with the jersey while Vinokourov offers advice - it helps to take off the hat first, Andreas
• Klöden prepares to uncork his champagne
• The final podium: Kirchen, Klöden, Vinokourov
• Klöden gives the thumbs up
• Smoochies for Klodie

Stage 6 - March 19: San Benedetto del Tronto - San Giacomo Monti della Laga, 164 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Gerolsteiner set the pace for their race leader Stefan Schumacher.
• Paolo Bettini (QuickStep) still looks the be in some pain after his recent crashes.
• The world champ grabs his daily lunchbox from a QuickStep team helper.
• Riccardo Riccò makes an attack.
• Riccardo Riccò sets the pace.
• Stefano Garzelli leads the bunch.
• Kim Kirchen finished seventh on the day
• Andreas Klöden is in full concentration mode.
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) climbs toward San Giacomo with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) glued to his wheel.
• Matteo Bono (Lampre-Fondital) approaches the line for his first professional victory.
• Italian Matteo Bono crosses the line with open arms.
• Matteo Bono gives a victory salute.
• Andreas Klöden on the podium
• Andreas Klöden shows off his yellow jersey.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Matteo Bono takes the win.
• Three riders set a tough pace.
• Kim Kirchen pushes up the climb.
• Andreas Klöden stands through the corner.
• Gerolsteiner worked hard today
• Simultaneous kisses for winner Bono.
• Andreas Klöden gets them, too.
• Andreas Klöden with his yellow jersey.
• Matteo Bono leads a fellow racer.
• Paolo Bettini looks like he's feeling Stage 6.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) controls this bunch for Riccò.
• The grade on this climb has everyone standing.
• Riccardo Riccò leads this trio.
• Riccardo Riccò leads Liquigas rider.
• Riccardo Riccò keeps an eye on his competitors.
• Riccardo Riccò starts to drop some others.
• Michele Scarponi tries to match Riccardo Riccò.
• Stéphane Goubert crosses the line.
• Riccardo Riccò crosses the finish.
• Kim Kirchen crosses the line.
• Kim Kirchen gasps for air.
• Michele Scarponi is next.
• Then comes Andreas Klöden
• The sprint is on for 10th place.
• Janez Brajkovic takes his small group.
• Alexander Vinokourov looks like he's hurting.
• Stefan Schumacher follows another rider.
• Stefan Schumacher finishes up.
• Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) finished 2'53" down.
• Matteo Bono gets two kisses.
• Andreas Klöden smiles for the camera.
• Paolo Bettini makes an adjustment.
• Paolo Bettini gets a push back into action.
• Still another push for the world champion.
• Gerolsteiner tried to defend its leader.
• Stefan Schumacher didn't get to keep his yellow jersey.
• Gerolsteiner strings out across the road.
• The light blue train is in action.
• Stefan Schumacher rides protected.
• The peloton
• Stefan Schumacher continues onward.
• Stefan Schumacher catches a free ride.
• Aerial view of the peloton.
• Looking down on the peloton.
• The group starts to split.
• Saunier Duval riders lead this group.
• Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) hard at it for Riccò.
• A group of riders climbs a steep section.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) leads Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) with Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) chasing.
• Now it's four.
• Alexander Vinokourov pushes his two competitors up the climb.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) is fading after being in the day's escape.
• Riccardo Riccò is testing his buddies
• This climb is not getting any easier for Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo).
• Alexander Vinokourov presses onward.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) floats up the climb.
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) climbs the mountain.
• Riccardo Riccò in the points jersey.

Stage 5 - March 18: Civitanova Marche - Civitanova Marche Alta (ITT), 20.5 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) put in a stunning time trial performance.
• Stefan Schumacher gets kisses on the podium.
• Schumacher dons the leader's jersey.
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) is still honing his form.
• An injured Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) rides a normal bike in the TT test.
• Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) gives it the juice in the TT.
• Italian National TT Champ Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital) takes off.
• World TT Champ Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) departs.
• Vasil Kiryienka (Tinkoff Credit Systems) followed by team owner, Oleg Tinkov.
• Technical problem for Marcus Ljungqvist (Team CSC).
• Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC) on his TT run.
• Sara encourages the riders.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) with his directeur sportif
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) after giving it his all.
• Podium time for Stefan Schumacher
• Stage winner Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) on the podium.
• Podium time Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) ... the German puts on the leader's jersey.
• Kisses for Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) after winning the stage and taking the overall lead.
• World Champion Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) during the TT.
• Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) was slightly 'off' today.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) could not show his Golden Olympic Form.
• Italian, World and Olympic Road Champion Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) took it easy today after two days and two crashes.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) is building up his form for the Classics.
• Vladimir Gusev (Discovery Channel) in action.
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital) is the current Italian TT Champion.
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) is a young up-and-comer.
• Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) was active the last two days and will probably shine again in tomorrow's stage to San Giacomo.
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) digs deep.
• Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) young and with lots of form, now he is sitting seventh overall.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel)
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) now is second overall
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) is now third overall, behind teammate Klöden.
• Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile)
• Enrico Gasparotto (Liquigas) was the best Italian for the day.
• Evgeni Petrov (Tinkoff Credit Systems)
• Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile) finished third on the day.
• Jens Voigt (Team CSC) is now threatening to steal the overall lead with only two more days to go.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) on his winning run.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) breathing deeply, going for the win.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) fought hard but was no match to the TT experts.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) is improving on his TT form.
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) fights bravely.

Stage 4 - March 17: Pievebovigliana - Offagna, 161 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Basso climbs off and heads for the team car
• Ivan Basso resorts to hitch-hiking after abandoning
• After the stage, Bettini was not so happy because he'd crashed again
• Paolo Bettini and Ivan Basso pose for the cameras before the stage
• Simone Masciarelli stops for petrol and could have used it on the long, hard stage
• Double wins for the man with the double double c's
• Another one from the young Italian Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
• Delighted with his win Ricco gives the air a punch
• Ricco and the podium girls
• The peloton heads uphill

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• A familiar scene: Ricco in front of a chasing Astana-led bunch
• Perfecting the one-armed salute
• On the podium in front of the adoring fans, Riccardo Ricco
• Ricco marks the Astana attack
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) leads Ricco
• Young guns Thomas Dekker and Riccardo Ricco both had good finishes in stage four
• Riccardo Ricco now it's three fingers - two stages and the lead?
• Ricco zips up the leader's jersey
• Thumbs up for the young leader Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
• Ricco gets his champers
• Ricco on the podium showing the sign of the bunny again!
• Two wins for Ricco in two days
• The bandage on his wrist shows why Basso climbed off
• Basso abandons
• A banged up Paolo Bettini is unhappy about crashing two days in a row
• Ivan Basso packs it in and gets a ride home in the team car
• The Saunier Duval led peloton heads up into town
• Saunier Duval-Prodir rode well for their young hero
• Italian Enrico Gasparotto (Liquigas) leads the bunch.
• Jens Voigt (Team CSC) talking with his fellow riders during the stage.
• Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) negotiate a corner.
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel).
• German Jens Voigt (Team CSC) during the 161 kilometre stage.
• Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo), Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC) together near the front of the field early on in the stage.
• It was a tough day for Alexandr Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo).
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) arrives at the finish line.
• Bettini crashed again today and was taken to hospital for evaluation.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) prepares for the day's stage.
• Italian trio Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel), Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas), and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) wait for the start.
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) was the third rider home today.
• Riders hold a banner with Daniel Libero's name on it prior to the stage start.
• The peloton en route to Offagna.

Stage 3 - March 16: Marsciano - Macerata, 213 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Michiel Elijzen (Cofidis) leads the break
• Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) makes his move
• Riccò gives the one arm salute after a brilliant win
• Riccardo Riccò takes the third stage of Tirreno Adriatico

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Ricco keeps a slender lead ahead of the bunch
• Yes! Number one!
• Number one?
• The young Saunier Duval victor gives a salute
• Riccardo Ricco gets his kisses
• Ricco salutes the crowd
• Ricco launches his winning move
• Ricco feels the burn of massive quantities of lactic acid in his legs
• Ricco on the podium showing the bunny sign
• Dimitri Champion (Bouygues Telecom) was the early escapee
• Arekeev is protected by his team
• Ricco dangles in front of the chasing bunch
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) working hard on the front
• Thomas Dekker and Michael Boogerd before the start of stage three
• Erik Zabel gets aero
• Erik Zabel (Milram) on the descent
• The group in action
• The peloton passes through some scenic areas
• The world champion talks to reporters
• Paolo Bettini before the start
• Tyler Hamilton lost time on stage two, then crashed on stage three
• The peloton rolls along
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) hit the deck on stage three.
• Lampre's Alessandro Ballan
• The leader's team keeps the pace on the front of the peloton
• Acqua & Sapone controls the bunch
• Leader Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone) rides comfortably in the group
• Discovery's Vladimir Gusev dwarfs his team leader Basso
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) is looking to gain some form for the Classics
• Alexandr Arekeev is followed by teammate Stefano Garzelli
• Andreas Kloden in his new Astana colours
• World champion Paolo Bettini (Quickstep) mixes in with the Astana chase

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• The Acqua Sapone train on stage 3.
• Discovery Channel's Ivan Basso.
• French rider Dimitri Champion (Bouygues Telecom) on a quick run.
• The Tirreno-Adriatico is one trippin' race man!

Stage 2 - March 15: Civitavecchia - Marsciano, 202 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Arekeev makes his move attacking on a small climb with 13km to go
• Arekeev gains time on the rest of the break
• Alexandr Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone) emphatically salutes his victory
• Bernard Eisel (T-mobile) didn't realise there was a break up the road and saluted his fifth place
• The peloton awaits the start of stage two in Civitavecchia.
• Rabobank's Bram De Groot grabs his musette on the second stage.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) holds sixth place on general classification.
• Predictor-Lotto lead the bunch on the 202 kilometre stage.
• Langkawi stage winner Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) rides alongside a course car.
• The peloton winds its way through the 202 kilometre stage two.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Italy's Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) holds 88th position on general classification.
• Belgian Peter Van Petegem (Quickstep-Innergetic) smiles prior to the start.
• Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) sits with the main bunch nearly one minute behind on general classification.
• Quickstep-Innergetic's Peter Van Petegem rolls through Azione.
• The peloton cruises along the flat roads in Azione.
• The tree-lined roads of Azione.
• Predictor-Lotto control the bunch through Azione.
• Dario Cioni (Predictor-Lotto).
• The main bunch rolls through Azione.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) rides in the peloton through Azione.
• The spectacular scenery in Azione.
• Alexandr Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) off the front in Azione.
• Alexandr Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) makes his stage winning break.
• The Russian pushes hard to increase his general classification gap.
• Alexandr Arekeev (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) rolls across the finish line nearly 30 seconds clear of second placed Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems).
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) and Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) take second and third respectively: some 29 seconds behind Arekeev.
• Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems) sits in second place on general classification.
• Austrian Bernhard Eisel (T-Mobile) leads the main bunch across the finish in Marsciano.
• Alexandr Arekeev pops the bubbly to celebrate his stage victory.
• Russian Alexandr Arekeev's 29 second stage victory gives him the same gap on general classification.

Stage 1 - March 14: Civitavecchia - Civitavecchia, 175 km

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Robbie McEwen wins the first stage of Tirreno Adriatico
• McEwen outpaced Oscar Freire and Thor Hushovd to take stage one
• The peloton is pear shaped
• World champ Paolo Bettini has a laugh with Oscar Freire before the start of stage one
• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery) at the start of stage one
• Fabian Cancellara (CSC) sneezing?
• McEwen was the clear winner jumping from a long way out
• Organiser Angelo Zomegnan has a chat with Paolo Bettini
• McEwen and Bettini rolling to the start
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) sitting in the bunch
• McEwen wins by a mile
• Riders ride past the Tyrrhenian Sea

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) on his way.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) confirms win.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) wins and takes overall lead of stage 1.
• Aussie Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) won the stage by anticipating the sprint with 400 metres to go.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) wins for the first time in Europe in 2007.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) salutes the crowd.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) getting some attention from the Italian podium girls
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) lets the bubbly fly after winning the opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) dons the leader's jersey ... a yellow and red affair for Tirreno.
• Podium time for Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto)
• Adjusting the cap after Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) was presented the leader's jersey.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) took the overall after winning stage one.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) in his first race in Italy after last year's Operación Puerto.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) and Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) share secrets.
• The peloton rolls along in souther Italy.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) checks his back.
• Up a small riser in stage 1.
• Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff Credit Systems) in his first ProTour race.
• Peloton on smooth Italian roads.
• Small Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) rides along.
• Veteran Erik Zabel (Milram) worked for Alessandro Petacchi (Milram)
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) is a three-time World Champion and former winner of Tirreno.
• Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) looks tired.
• Dutch Champion Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) rides along.
• The green team Liquigas.
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic)
• Mirko Celestino (Milram) is coming onto form for Milano-Sanremo.
• Lampre-Fondital lead for Napolitano.
• Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic)
• Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram)
• Big Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas)
• Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo)
• Flat tire for Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
• Allan Johansen (Team CSC) was in a last-minute tangle.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) and Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) ride along.
• Het Volk winner Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas)
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) rides.
• Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) talk during stage one.
• Big Jens Voigt (Team CSC)
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) is happy to be back racing after skipping Milano-Torino.
• Peter Van Petegem (Quickstep-Innergetic) and Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto)
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) chats with the others.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel)
• Beautiful countryside.
• Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) says, no more photos!