Little Pozzovivo makes big moves

By Gregor Brown in Passo Fedaia

One of the smallest riders in the Giro d'Italia peloton, Domenico Pozzovivo is making big moves through the high mountain passes of the Italian Dolomites. The 25 year-old CSF Group rider, from Italy's south, remained easily with the classification favourites on Saturday's stage to Alpe di Pampeago and attacked them on Sunday during stage 15 to Passo Fedaia.

The morning of the 153-kilometre day to Passo Fedaia, he commented on his form. "I saw that the classification riders were watching each other," the fourth year professional said of stage 14, won by team-mate Emanuele Sella. "My move was not a move to arrive solo, but just to up the rhythm that was there. I already knew that Sella won." He finished 12th for the day, 23 seconds behind the best of his group, Russia's Denis Menchov (Rabobank).

"My legs are good and I will try again today. The squad's morale is good and I will try to build on that today. I will try to remain with the favourites," said Pozzovivo of stage 15.

Pozzovivo did just that by chasing down Franco Pellizotti's move on the Passo Giau and keeping with the favourites to the finale on Passo Fedaia. After Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) lifted the pace, Pozzovivo went away to join up with one of the early escapees and team-mate Fortunato Baliani, while team-mate Sella was further up the road going towards the stage win.

Pozzovivo continued solo after Baliani faded, finishing the day second, 2'05" behind stage winner Sella.