Lance Armstrong once said that in order to win a race one must eventually come to the table and slam down their fist. Although the 100th Giro d'Italia was only 4 days old, "Il Killer di Spoltore," the cold-blooded killer, Danilo DiLuca (LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini) came to the table on Stage 4 and clearly made his intentions known. His victory made it three in a row for the LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini team.The 2007 Giro d'Italia champion seemed to capture the hearts and minds of his competitors with his relentless attacking style on the first mountain stage of this year's Giro. He would lead an Italian sweep of the podium with Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo) coming in second, and Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) taking third.
When DiLuca is on form, his accelerations on the slopes are as deadly has his teammate's, Alessandro Petacchi, are on the flats. If there were any questions as to whether DiLuca was a serious contender to win the Giro, he certainly dispelled any such notion.
Results
1. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
Despite a resounding victory, DiLuca would slot into second on the General Classification with Thomas Lövkvist being the latest Columbia rider to benefit from their sterling Team Time Trial ride.
General Classification After Stage 4
1. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
7. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
8. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.
9. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
Next: Stage 5 - San Martino Di Castrozza - Alpe di Siusi, 125 km
Another day in the mountains brought out some of the other favorites who either held something back on Stage 4 or are still working themselves into form.
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