A crash in the penultimate closing circuit of the 13th GP Costa degli Etruschi – won by Alessandro Petacchi (Team Milram) – did not spoil the early season for some of cycling's big names. Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Italian champion Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) and Colombian climbing sensation, Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), hit the pavement but without consequences.
"In that penultimate final circuit there were crashes and I ended up on the ground, practically at a standstill," Cunego recalled. "I quickly got back up, without any damage.
"Logically, my condition is not at its maximum, but I am content with my day out; I worked in the group and I tried to maintain a good rhythm. Restarting with races like these is instrumental in stepping up the form."
