Bruseghin seeking best Giro finish

By Gregor Brown in Sondrio, Italy

Italian Marzio Bruseghin will continue to chase his best Giro d'Italia finish when the Italian Grand Tour resumes today. The Lampre rider is currently fourth overall after the opening two weeks but the Italian still faces five more stages, including two demanding mountain stages.

"I am calm; I am satisfied with my Giro up until now," he said.

Bruseghin smashed the competition in the first individual time trial to Urbino, finishing eight seconds over second place Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana). On Monday's Plan de Corones ITT he closed in on noted climbers like Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes), Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF Group Navigare) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank), finishing a reputable seventh on the 12.9- kilometre stint in Italy's Dolomites.

"For my characteristics it would have been hard [to win], even though I had hoped to do something a little more," Bruseghin said top of the 2273-metre high climb, surrounded by supporters wearing donkey caps.

"The last kilometre was very hard," he added. "I tried to manage myself well to have some force in the finale. I had the rhythm but I was not able win."

Bruseghin is on track for his best Giro finish to date, with the Italian's previous best eighth position last year while working for Damiano Cunego.

For more on the 2006 Italian Time Trial Champion read Bruseghin secures second Giro d'Italia stage.