Greig Leach

Poor Alan Marangoni (Cannondale Garmin) ran out of gas within site of the finish line, within site of a stage victory. As the charging Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF) dragging Mattteo Busato (Southeast Pro Cycling) and Alessandro Malaguti (Nippo-Vini Fantini), Marangoni pounded his handlebars and hung his head in frustration and disappointment. Forunately for Boem, his strength held and he claimed his first Grand Tour stage victory in front of his countrymen. Although it was impossible for an Italian not to win today, every member of the break rides on an Italian racing license. That brings the tally of Italian victories to 5 stages, or half of every stage contested.