Today Alessandro Petacchi became the first rider to win 8 stages in a single Giro d'Italia since 1927. That year, Alfredo Binda won 12 out of 15 stages as well as the overall classification. So far in this year's Giro, there have been 10 stages that finished in a bunch sprint, and Petacchi has won an incredible 80% of them. Today's stage was the second to last opportunity for a sprint finish before the Giro finishes on Sunday in Milano. If things go well for Petacchi on Sunday's final stage, he could bump his record up to 9 stages in a single Giro. He's obviously one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Combining his 6 stages from lst year's Giro with those from this year, he's won 14 stages in only 2 years. If he continues to have good form over the coming years, perhaps he'll beat Cipollini's all-time Giro stage record (42 stages total). Results from stage 15, the 8th stage victory for Petacchi this year's Giro d'Italia. |
