Italian Michele Scarponi won his second stage of this year's Giro d'Italia on Thursday in a seven-man sprint that included Americans Jason McCartney and Danny Pate.
The seven cyclists were the remnants of a breakaway of 25 bicycle racers who gained up to about 6 minutes over the peloton at one point on the 113-mile stage from Sulmona to Benevento.
Race leader Denis Menchov and chief rival Danilo Di Luca finished together in the main peloton, with Rabobank's Menchov maintaining his 26-second lead over Di Luca. No change in the standings for the other leaders, as Levi Leipheimer remained in 6th place, 4:32 back.
McCartney and Pate
Late in the race, it looked as if McCartney might have a shot at a stage win. Now with Team Saxo Bank, the 35-year-old veteran of the Discovery Channel pro cycling team made several attacks on the approach and final lap around Benevento.
McCartney and Félix Cardenas (Barloworld) made a bid within the final 2 kilometers, but were caught by Pate of Garmin-Slipstream and the rest of their group. On the final grueling uphill to the finish line, Scarponi attacked and edged out the others.
Scarponi had earlier won Stage 6 of this year's Giro.
Di Luca
Cardenas finished second and Pate finished in third place. McCartney was the 7th rider across the line in the bunch.
After Wednesday's intense effort to close the gap to Menchov, Di Luca wasn't able to gain any time on the Russian on Thursday.
He'll surely have the opportunity to make up the 26 seconds that separates him from Menchov on Friday's stage that ends high on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
The leaders
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini, 0.26 behind
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas, 2.00
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas, 3.28
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team, 3.30
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana, 4.32
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia – Highroad, 7.05
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone – Caffe Mokambo, 8.04
Lance Armstrong remained in 12th place, 12:17 out of first.
More reports and standings at CyclingNews or VeloNews.
Friday's stage is a 102-mile roller coaster ride down to the coast along Naples before the peloton hangs a right turn and climbs the slopes of the Mount Vesuvius volcano. Universal Sports is offering a free, live video stream of the race.
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