Petacchi targets Milano-Sanremo

Alessandro Petacchi will spend today reconnoitering the final kilometres of the parcours of the Milano-Sanremo.

Petacchi, who will be accompanied by team-mates Marco Velo and Fabio Sacchi and sport director Alessandro Giannelli seems to be determined to land this year's Primavera. This is, after all, the race every Italian wants to win.

Petacchi made the selection in 2002, finishing 17th in a race won by Mario Cipollini. He failed to finish in 2003, feeling the after effects of a flu, but came close in 2004, crossing the line in fourth place as Oscar Freire stole victory from Erik Zabel in the final metres.

Petacchi will practice the climbs on the approach to Sanremo and scout the finish area. "We will do the Cipressa and the Poggio twice," said Petacchi. "I don't want to leave anything to chance."