Freire and Petacchi open their accounts

Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) (Image credit: Franklin Tello)

World Champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) have both managed to notch up that all-important first victory of the season with wins in the first stage of the Challenge Illes Balears and GP Costa Degli Etruschi respectively. Both races finished in bunch sprints, with Freire overcoming Isaac Galvez and Vicente Reynes (both Illes Balears), and Petacchi beating Luciano Pagliarini (Liquigas) and Francesco Chicchi (Fassa Bortolo). It was the first race of the season for both riders, and they join top sprinters Robbie McEwen, Tom Boonen, Mario Cipollini and Tom Steels with victories in 2005.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1