Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 17:30
AFP News Briefs ListBennati clinches ninth cycling stage in photo-finish
Italy's Daniele Bennati, of the Liquigas team, clinched the ninth stage of the Tour of Italy on Sunday in a thrilling photo-finish.
Bennati just edged fellow Tuscan and world champion Paolo Bettini in a sprint finish which stormed through the final 3000 metres at the end of a gruelling 218km stage.
Australia's Robbie McEwen was third on the day just ahead of Germany's Erik Zabel.
Italian champion Giovanni Visconti, of the Quick Step team, stayed in the overall lead as the three-week event heads into a rest day on Monday, a welcome rest before the race moves along the Adriatic coast.
Ukraine's Yuri Krivtsov launched a break and was quickly joined by France's Mickael Buffaz 50km from the finish before they were caught by the peloton.
For the 27-year-old Bennati, it was his second stage success of the race.
He also won the second stage last Monday at Milazzo in Sicily.
Images
Italian Daniele Benatti, seen here in 2007, of the Liquigas team, has clinched the ninth stage of the Tour of Italy in a thrilling photo-finish.
© 2007 AFP Jose Luis Roca
