Giro del Trentino: Diluca Attacks, Hunter Wins

Today’s third stage of the Giro del Trentino finished in a bunch sprint, despite the determined efforts of LPR Brakes to force a split. Robbie Hunter of Barloworld won ahead of Stefano Garzelli of Acqua e Sapone and Danilo Diluca of LPR Brakes. The general classification remained unchanged with Janez Brajkovic of Astana leading Ivan Basso of Liquigas by 4 seconds. According to Gazzetta, Basso made the whole thing look easy, finishing without a hair out of place.

The climby bits came early in today’s stage, which crossed two summits in the Gruppo Sella, the Sella and the Gardena. Giampaolo Caruso of Ceramica Flaminia won the KOM on both peaks. Said Caruso later, “I have trained very well, and it is heartbreaking not to be able to ride the Giro.” Ceramica Flaminia did not receive an invite this year. After yesterday’s third place finish on the Alpe di Pampeago and today’s efforts on the climbs, he should take home the mountains classification.

But the main action in today’s race came from Diluca’s LPR Brakes team. After 19 kilometers of racing, a 20 rider break escaped, which included three riders from LPR: Gabriele Bosisio, Riccardo Chiarini, and Aleassandro Spezialetti. In a move that should have surprised no one, Danilo Diluca set off alone from the main field to bridge the 2.38 gap to the breakaway. On the descent off the Gardena, Diluca made it across to the lead group. Behind, Acqua e Sapone led the chase.

With 60 kilometers to ride, Gabriele Bosisio attacked from the lead group. Alone at the front, Bosisio survived 40 kilometers. With just 20 kilometers to ride, it was gruppo compacto. The final kilometers of the course climbed steadily at a gentle gradient. Diluca attempted to anticipate the sprint, after a nice set-up from his team, but Robbie Hunter spoiled the LPR party. Hunter won the stage, followed by Garzelli in second and Diluca in third. Race leader Janez Brajkovic and second-place Ivan Basso finished comfortably in the main field. Likewise for Giro fave Gilberto Simoni.

No one seems to have hung around for post-race comments. This is very disappointing. Perhaps something will turn up later.

Tomorrow the Giro del Trentino concludes with a jaunt up the Passo Mendola, 15 km averaging 6.5%, and finishes on a 9 kilometer climb to Pejo Fonti. The finish isn’t especially steep, just 4%, but after 214 kilometers of riding, it should smart a little.