Fassa Bortolo's Marzio Bruseghin came within a couple of metres of claiming the team's first, and greatly desired, victory in this year's race. His pre-emptive attack with 300 metres to go took Di Luca a little by surprise, but the Liquigas man chased him down and won the stage.
"I went at 300 metres, perhaps a little early," said Bruseghin. "I'm not used to doing sprints, but I did well seeing as I was only beaten by Di Luca, who is the number one at the moment in these types of finishes. In the lead up to the sprint, Petacchi came me a big hand and helped my confidence. At least I tried and the result satisfies me.
