Danilo Napolitano (Lampre) takes the sprint over Mattia Gavazzi (Preti Mangimi) to win the final stage.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The Androni Giocattoli team with former race director Carmine Castellano(Image credit: Sirotti)
Fränk Schleck (Lepard Trek) tries to limit his losses(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Former Spanish champion Luis Leon Sanchez with eventual winner Rojas Jose Joaquin(Image credit: Rafael Gómez Alonso)
By Gregor Brown
Danilo Napolitano of Lampre proved early season form by taking the final stage of the first Giro della Provincia di Grosseto – 184 kilometres ending in Grosseto. The 27 year-old Italian, winner of a stage in the Tour of Qatar, out-sprinted compatriots Mattia Gavazzi (Preti Mangimi) and Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) on the Viale della Repubblica in the province's namesake city.
26 year-old 'Pippo' won the overall thanks to his win on Friday in stage one and third place today; yesterday's stage was annulled.
The day was marked by an escape that lasted 166 kilometres. Dmitri Nikandrov (Centri Della Calzatura-Partizan), Michele Gobbi (Preti Mangimi), Vladimir Duma (Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce) and Gerrit Glomser (Team Volksbank) went on the move at kilometre 11. However, it was to be a sprint day. After the four men were caught, the teams of Liquigas, CSF Group Navigare and Lampre took over for their team leaders.
