Lampre-ISD's Daniele Pietropolli triumphed on Friday in the first stage of the Italian opener, the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria. The 30 year old was the fastest out of a small selection of seven riders that wrested free in the final moments of the day in a tough uphill finish.
For Pietropolli, it was a welcome return to the form of old. The Italian had made the jump to the ProTour at long last in 2010, but following a sizzling start to the season, which included 3rd overall at Reggio Calabria and 3rd at the Trofeo Laigueglia, Pietropolli quieted down significantly.
The year previously, with LPR Brakes, Pietropolli had taken a stage win and the overall at the Giro della Provincia di Grosseto, a stage and the overall at the Settimana Lombarda, along with a slew of top finishes.
With his win over Fabio Taborre, Jose Serpa, and Fortunate Baliani, Pietropolli has gotten his season off to a superb start.
"What a pleasure to take this victory after a year of bad luck. I'm not thinking about the past. I will enjoy this wonderful moment and thank all my teammates who supported me fantastically," said the rider who hails from the Veneto after his fantastic finish to feltet.dk.
The 164 kilometer stage from Melito to Catanzaro saw a two-up break spend over 130 kilometers out front before being swept up in the difficult finale. The duo of Vitaly Kondrut (Lampre-ISD) and Federico Rocchetti (De Rosa-Ceramica Flaminia).
The race came together with five kilometers remaining, and it was Pietropolli, a former winner of the race in 2008, who got to the line first in convincing fashion. Lampre-ISD director Orlando Maini, was pleased with his team's effort.
"I'm obviously very pleased with the team today. We showed that we're a team that can achieve results, which we also had proclaimed before the race," said Orlando Maini.
Just behind the triumphant Pietropolli, quietly finishing in sixth, but making a resounding statement, was the fallen German returning from suspension, Stefan Schumacher. Schumacher rode his first races at the end of last season, but it appears that he's getting his racing legs back heading into 2011. A year with results along the lines of today's, and it seems likely that the rider from Nürtingen will be yet another former suspended rider back on the top level of the sport.
Two stages remain at Reggio Calabria. A 195.1 kilometer day from Soverato to Vibo Valentia on Saturday, followed by the 171.9 kilometer race finale from Pizzo Calabro to Reggio Calabria.
Stage 1 Results
1. Daniele Pietropolli (Lampre-ISD)
2. Fabio Taborre (Acqua e Sapone)
3. Jose Serpa (Androni Giocattoli)
4. Fortunato Baliani (d'Angelo & Antenucci)
5. Damiano Caruso (Liquigas-Cannondale)
6. Stefan Schumacher (Miche)
7. Alessandro Proni (Acqua e Sapone)
General Classification
1. Daniele Pietropolli
2. Fabio Taborre +04
3. Jose Serpa +06
4. Fortunato Baliani +10