Giro di Sardegna 2009 February 24-28

The Giro di Sardegna (Tour of Sardinia, Italy) returned this month after an absence of 12 years. The cancellation of the Vuelta a Valenciana helped fill out the start list with some big names. World Champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC) was joined by Daniele Bennati (Liquigas), Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini), Giovanni Visconti (ISD), Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini), Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) and Italian Champion Filippo Simeoni (Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce).

Stagge 1:  Olbia - Olbia, 184.2km  Full Results and Report

Filippo Simeoni (Italian National Champion/Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini) in the rain at the start	A break develops...	... consisting of Philipp Mamos (Amore E Vita - Mc Donalds), Mauro Finetto (Csf Group - Navigare), Maxim Belkov (Isd - Neri)
CSF's Finetto (left) almost survived to the end but Team Lampre was too strong	Lampre's Mirco Lorenzetto wins much to the delight of his teammates including the world champion, Ballan	L-to-R: 2nd Enrico Gasparotto, 1st Mirco Lorenzetto, 3rd Alessandro Petacchi

Stagge 2:  Porto Torres - Santu Lussurgiu, 164.0km  Full Results and Report

The world champion and Lampre's classics leader, Alessandro Ballan	The start line in Porto Torres	Sprint finish in Santu Lussurgiu
Mirco Lorenzetto of Lampre-NGC beats Liquigas' Daniele Bennati for second time in two days	He may be shorter, but Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre-NGC) tops the podium with Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) and Jesus Del Nero (Fuji-Servetto)	Fans in Santu Lussurgiu enjoying the podium ceremony

Stagge 3:  Oristano - Tortoli, 173.2km  Full Results and Report

Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) on his way to the start line in Oristano wearing one of leaders jersys	The start in "downtown" Oristano	Imagine how happy you'd be to get your first professional win by beating the world champion in a photo finish
Team ISD's Oscar Gatto was overjoyed to get his first professional victory and his team's first win of the season	Team ISD's Oscar Gatto gets his first taste of victory	Podium (L-R): Alessandro Ballan (Lampre - N.G.C.), Oscar Gatto (ISD) Giovanni Visconti (ISD).

Stagge 4:  Arbatax - Cagliari, 147.5km  Full Results and Report

World Champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC) with Italian navy officers at start in Arbatax	A low-key and scenic start in Arbatax	Daniele Bennati of Liquigas wins the fourth stage in Cagliari ahead of Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre-NGC)
Bennati's win also put him into the race lead	Bennati posing	The podium with (l-r) Mirco Lorenzetto (second), Bennati and Yury Metlushenko

Stagge 5:  Carbonia - Cagliari, 143.9km  Full Results and Report

The working-class Carbonia citizens acknowledge bike racing is hard work too	A break forms on a climb along the Sardinian coast	A nice route all day with obviously great weather
Alessandro Petacchi (LPR) takes the sprint after being shut out all week	Alessandro Petacchi's (LPR) victory salute	Daniele Bennati's (Liquigas) victory salute for winning the GC