Franco Reigns – Stage 17 Giro d’Italia Centoanni

Any consternation emanating from the Liquigas camp leading up to Stage 17 of the 100th Giro d’Italia was put to rest as Franco Pellizotti led an Italian sweep of the day’s podium and literally climbed his way into third place on the General Classification (GC). Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo) would finish in second and Danilo DiLuca (LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini) in third.

On a day where the attacks came fast and furious on the final climb, Blockhaus, Pellizotti’s stamina and skill proved unmatched. Whether by design or in an attempt to grab the reigns of team leadership, Pellizotti’s victory served to momentarily soothe the boisterous tifosi whose grumblings over team tactics and leadership only grew louder as the race wore on; with many believing Liquigas was squandering any opportunity it had to win the race by not pulling for one man.

With both Pellizotti and Ivan Basso, the designated team leader of Liquigas heading into the race, now sitting third and fourth, respectively on the General Classification it may prove a tough pill to swallow for any Liquigas fan when imagining what might have been.

Results
1. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
2. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
3. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini

A late attack by “the killer” garnered him some valuable seconds over Denis Menchov (Rabobank) who looked every part of the stoic champion shadowing his closest competitor.

General Classification After Stage 17
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
4. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
5. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
7. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
8. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
9. Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale
10. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

Next: Stage 18 - Sulmona - Benevento, 182km
A stage that sets up for the sprinters turned out to be a breakaway's delight.