3rd Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali - 2.3

Italy, March 26-30, 2003

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Stage 1a - March 26: Riccione - Riccione, 74 km

Lampre 1-2

Pantani back in the bunch

Svorada and Loddo
Photo: © Sirotti

Jan Svorada and Alberto Loddo have given the Lampre team a perfect start in the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali in Riccione today. The pair crossed the line arms raised with Svorada in first position, winning the bunch sprint at the end of the first half stage. In third place was Saeco's Ivan Quaranta, in front of Fassa Bortolo's Fabian Cancellara and Zoran Klemencic (Tenax). Svoarada will thus carry the leader's jersey going into this afternoon's second half stage, an 8.2 km team time trial in Rimini.

Today was also the first day of racing for many months for Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno-Scanavino), who finished safely in the peloton which stayed together for the first stage. Pantani is looking fitter than ever and hopes that he will return to a semblance of his former self during this season.

Photography

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Jan Svorada and Alberto Loddo (Lampre) cross the line 1-2 in the first stage of the Settimana Coppi&Bartali
Jan Svorada and Alberto Loddo (Lampre) congratulate each other after winning the first stage
Jan Svorada (Lampre) raises his arms on the podium after winning the first stage
Jan Svorada (Lampre) raises his arms on the podium in the leader's jersey
Marco Pantani is back in business
Marco Pantani being harassed by a telephone insurance salesman. "Do you do additional third party car accident insurance?"
Marco Pantani looking really happy to be back racing
Marco Pantani - the look of slight shock, confusion, and anger rolled into one
"Where's the cheese?" Marco Pantani gives a toothy grin
Marco Pantani contemplates life while wearing out his gear cables
Marco Pantani rolls out for the first stage
Marco Pantani looking forward to the day when he can shine
Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno-Scanavino) climbs during stage 1
Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno-Scanavino) prepares for that good ol' lactic acid feeling
Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno-Scanavino) suffers during the first stage of the Settimana Coppi&Bartali
Marco Pantani at the tail end of the Mercatone Uno-Scanavino train
Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno-Scanavino) rides during stage 1a of the Settimana Coppi&Bartali

Results

1 Jan Svorada (Cze) Lampre                          1.54.00 (39.052 km/h)
2 Alberto Loddo (Ita) Lampre
3 Ivan Quaranta (Ita) Team Saeco
4 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo
5 Zoran Klemencic (Slo) Tenax
6 Ruben Bongiorno (Arg) Ceramiche-Panaria Fiordo
7 Graziano Gasparre (Ita) De Nardi-Colpack
8 Mario Manzoni (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Scanavino
9 Yuri Mitlushenko (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
10 Vassili Davidenko (Rus) Navigators Cycling Team