Di Luca errors in Tirreno-Adriatico stage six (Image credit: Sirotti)
Danilo Di Luca of LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini started the attacks that led to the eventual escape and win of Michele Scarponi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) in Monday's Tirreno-Adriatico stage six. The Italian closed on the escape group to finish fourth, but was 1:09 behind.
"I made a big error to try to attack right away on the climb and then I remained behind," he said. "I recovered and I felt better afterwards."
Di Luca attacked with more than eight kilometres of the Sasso Tetto climb. It led to the winning move of Scarponi, Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) and Liquigas' Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali. He was unable to react to the move once Scarponi passed, but he contributed to the chase with then-overall leader Andreas Klöden (Astana).
"As the kilometres went by, I felt better and this is a good signal for a stage of 235 kilometres and 3000 metres of climbing. Basso and Garzelli had a good test, and Simoni was a little off, but at the end practically all of the men that will vie for the Giro d'Italia arrived together."
Scarponi took over the race lead thanks to the escape and win. He leads with 25 seconds on Garzelli. Di Luca is 3:17 back in the overall.
Today is the final stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico. It will be one for the sprinters, 169 kilometres around San Benedetto del Tronto.
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