Cipollini at last

World champion finally equals Binda's Giro record

Mario Cipollini: "I think I've shown I'm not past it. I'm incredibly happy to have finally won a stage." AP

AREZZO, Italy (Reuters) -- Italian world champion Mario Cipollini won the 214-km eighth stage of the Giro D'Italia on Sunday and finally equalled its record for the number of stage victories.

Cipollini's sprint-finish victory over Australia's Robbie McEwen and Italy's Alessandro Petacchi meant he has now won 41 stages, equalling Alfredo Binda's record set in 1933.

The 36-year-old had been beaten twice by Petacchi in sprint finishes earlier in the Giro and after Friday's sixth stage when he was pipped by his compatriot even hinted he may retire.

However on Sunday, on the long finishing straight into Arezzo, he rediscovered the strength to edge out McEwen and Petacchi, crossing the line with his arms aloft.

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Stefano Garzelli of Italy retained the overall race lead, finishing in the main field in the same time as Cipollini. Gilberto Simoni of Italy is second, 31 seconds behind Garzelli, while Andrea Noe is third at 54 seconds.

"I think I've shown I'm not past it. I'm incredibly happy to have finally won a stage," said Cipollini.

"At the start of the Giro I wasn't going well, I'd probably trained too much before the race but after a week's racing I've refound my explosivity in the sprint and speed to win.

"I've been chasing Binda's record for a long time. I never thought I'd equal it because Binda is a legend in cycling. I feel honored to hear my name next to his."

Cipollini's win could not have come at a better time for his Domina Vacanze team, with Tour de France organizers issuing the four remaining wild card invitations for the race Monday.

"At the moment I've no guarantee of an invitation but I think this win shows I can put on a show in the sprints at the Tour de France," said Cipollini.

"I've given a lot to cycling over the years and I've got the world champion's jersey and so deserve a place in the centenary edition of the Tour."

Monday's 160-km ninth stage from Arezzo to Montecatini Terme in Tuscany is mostly flat and could provide Cipollini with his 42nd, and record-breaking, stage victory in his home region of Tuscany.

"The stage finish is even closer to my home, so it'd be great to win again and break Binda's record in Tuscany," said Cipollini.

 

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