Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) successfully defended his overall lead in the Giro de Trentino today, winning the event by just hundredths of a second over Italian Riccardo Riccó of the Ceramica Flaminia team. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF Inox) won the final stage and secured his place on the overall podium with a perfectly timed attack on the slopes of the Alpe di Pampeago. Riccó finished second in the stage just 2 seconds later, and Spaniard Sergio Pardilla (Carmiooro-NGC) crossed the line a further 20 seconds behind in third.
With his victory, Vinokourov has secured his first major win since returning to the Astana squad from a doping suspension last year. The Kazakh laid the foundation for his win in the opening 12.5 kilometer test against the clock, and was able to follow his main competitors in the mountains well enough to maintain his advantage.
"It’s a great satisfaction," said Vinokourov after the race. "By winning the first stage against the clock I didn’t think I would keep the jersey until the end. I even thought not to ride this last stage because I would have driven to Liege if there was no plane. Fortunately, the volcano in Iceland has subsided.
"I have a flight tonight from Bergamo to Belgium. It [th fact that he wouldn't have to drive] especially helped me to defend my jersey until the final. Riccó is very strong and I feared him a lot with a uphill finish like today. He arrived second and I went fourth just 12 seconds behind, which means that my legs were not bad either."
Vinokourov's performance in the Giro del Trentino will mean that the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia is within his reach, since its opening 8.5 kilometer time trial on May 8th in Amsterdam should suit his abilities. Vinokourov will now head north to Belgium to ride in Liège-Bastogne-Liège alongside teammate and two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.
"This victory happens at the right time, it allows me to approach Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday and especially the Giro d'Italia with a with high spirits. The Giro del Trentino was supposed to be my preparation after a long training block at altitude. This is a great success. I hope it will continue," Vinokourov concluded.
Giro del Trentino stage 4 results:
1. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF-SS)
2. Riccardo Riccó (Ceramica Flaminia) @ 2s
3. Sergio Padilla (CarmioOro-UCS) @ 22s
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) s.t.
5. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Miche Pro Cycling Team) s.t.
6. Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni) s.t.
Giro del Trentino final general classification:
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)
2. Riccardo Riccó (Ceramica Flaminia) s.t.
3. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago - CSF Inox) @ 42s