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Mapei ahead

Italian team wins stage, takes overall lead

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- The top-ranked Italian team of Mapei Quickstep grabbed two of the top three positions in Wednesday's eighth stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi round-Malaysia cycling championship.

Mapei's Paolo Lanfranchi, the Tour's 1999 overall individual champion, checked in first in the 154.4 kilometer (95.72 mile) race, followed by Pascal Herve of the rival Italian outfit of Alexia Alluminio.

Lanfranchi teammate Paolo Bettini was third.

All three crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 51 minutes, 55 seconds.

The fine showing saw Mapei taking over the top spot in overall placings from defending champion Mercury Viatel of the United States.

Mapei's Bettini also takes the yellow jersey for Thursday's stage with 18 seconds ahead of Lanfranchi and 26 seconds in front of Herve.

 

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