Scarponi ends winless period

Michele Scarponi (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) ended a winless streak today in Stage 2 of the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali. The Italian finished in Faenza ahead of compatriot Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Aussie Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) after 175 kilometres of racing.

Scarponi last won several stages and races during the 2004 season when he was riding for Domina Vacanze.

Following a fast start Wednesday that broke apart the peloton on the climb up Monte Carla, Scarponi spent much of the race off the front, with others or by himself. Over the last climb of the day, he formed part of a group also containing Kanstantsin Siutsou (Barloworld), Morris Possoni (Lampre-Fondital), Massimo Giunti (Miche), Rogers, and Riccò.

The group worked in harmony for the next 20 kilometres, but upon arrival in Faenza, Scarponi attacked solo with one kilometre to go. He held off his chasers until the end and finished six seconds ahead of Riccò and Rogers.

Scarponi's first win since 2004 moved him up to second in the general classification, which is now lead by Luca Pierfelici (Aurum Hotels). Pierfelici took over the general classification from overnight leader, Russian Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems).