Giro spoiler --- latest news

Petacchi out of Giro

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) will abandon the 89th Giro d’Italia. In stage 3 on Monday, the Italian sprinter came to a fall with about 50 kilometres left to race, and was in heavy pain throughout the rest of the stage, which he finished. However, further examinations in a Belgian hospital revealed that Petacchi fractured his left knee-cap. Tomorrow, he will fly back to Italy where he will get surgery. The team announced that this could also compromise his participation in the Tour de France this summer.

That really stinks. He is really a powerful rider, but it seems like more needs to go right with his ‘train’ in order to deliver him for the win. I kind of like how McEwen seems to be able to pull it out of nowhere and is willing to scrap for the win. Was looking forward to the sprinters’ battles, though, and one less sprinter won’t make it any more exciting.

Yet more fodder for the “this isn’t a sprinter’s Giro” crowd.