Ricco takes 2nd stage in Giro d’Italia
AGRIGENTO, Sicily (AP) – Riccardo Ricco won the second stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday in a sprint finish, and Franco Pellizotti took the overall lead in the three-week race. Ricco, who rides for the Saunier Duval team, finished the 129-mile leg from Cefalu to Agrigento in 5 hours, 48 minutes, 35 seconds.
Christian Vandevelde, the leader after the first stage, finished 10 seconds behind Ricco and fell into second in the overall standings, 1 second behind Pellizotti. Vandevelde was the first American to wear the Giro’s pink leader’s jersey in two decades.
Defending champion Danilo Di Luca, one of the pre-race favorites, finished with the same time as Ricco and is fourth overall, 7 seconds behind.
The race continues in Sicily on Monday with a 137-mile leg from Catania to Milazzo.
Copyright Associated Press 2008