Links

Other Racing News

The Official Giro Site (In English but obviously written by an Italian)

Map of the Route  with links to elevation charts for the mountain stages

Daily Stages

VeloNews Coverage of the '99 Giro

Click Live TV and then click on the TV Screen to watch Eurosport TV Live through the Internet

Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7
Stage 8
Stage 9
Stage 10
Stage 11
Stage 12
Stage 13
Stage 14
Stage 15
Stage 16
Stage 17
Stage 18
Stage 19
Stage 20
Stage 21
Stage 22

Marco Pantani Win Stage 8 - Back In Pink Jersey

By Mike Price

GRAN SASSO D'ITALIA, Italy, May 22 - Marco Pantani left his rivals cold on the misty and snowy slopes of a mountain on Saturday to take over the lead in the Giro d'Italia.

After coming in first following a 30-km climb to the 2,130-metre. high finish, Pantani declared: "I am not at my best yet." The 1998 Giro victor broke free from his rivals with little more than a kilometre remaining in the 253-km eighth stage from Pescara.

Spain's Jose Maria Jimenez chased in 23 seconds later followed by Swiss Alex Zuelle, a further three seconds behind, but Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, the Giro leader for four days, lost one minute five seconds to Pantani's charge.

"It was not planned that I should attack. I just wanted to test the opposition. I thought that three or four would stay with me and I was surprised when they fell back.

"When I realised I could gain some time on them I forced the pace but I am missing a bit that gives me my best shape. I am not far away though."

Pantani starts Sunday's individual time trial over 32 undulating kilometres around Ancona with a 38-second lead over Jimenez and a doubt in his mind.

"I am afraid that I will lose the pink jersey because I will suffer in the time trial for the efforts I made today," he said.

Jalabert, the 1997 world time trial champion, is only 55 seconds away from regaining the colors on a course that starts and finishes in the Adriatic port.

A week ago the Giro opened in Sicily with temperatures topping 30 Celsius. On Saturday the mercury plunged to 3 Celsius and spectators shivered on the banked snow on the upper slopes shrouded in low cloud.

Until the darling of Italy arrived alone.

Before Pantani's triumph, the day had belonged to two other Italians, Mariano Piccoli and Pietro Caucchioli.

For 208 kms and over two mountains they led to reach l'Aquila, the nearest town to the mountain finish, more than 12 minutes ahead.

The grinding climb to the finish plus the quickening pursuit saw their advantage vanish to nothing with seven kms to race.

GRAN SASSO D'ITALIA, Italy, May 22 - Placings in the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia after Saturday's 253 kms from Pescara: