Lars Bak fourth in Italy
Category: Global NewsGiro d'Italia mountainous fifteenth stage developed into a drama on two different levels. At the beginning of today's 161 kilometer between Forli 'and Faenza sixteen riders took off in an breakaway where Team Saxo Bank was represented by Lars Bak, who prior to today's efforts was 32nd overall.
On the penultimate climb seven riders slipped away from this group and created a new front with Daniel Navarro (Astana), Serge Pauwels (Cervelo Test Team), Marco Marzano (Lampre - NGC), Leonardo Bertagnolli (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli) Jose Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli), Marco Pinotti (Team Columbia - High Road) and Team Saxo Bank's Dane Lars Bak.
Behind this scene an epic drama among the GC riders took place as Ivan Basso (Liquigas) after several attempts managed to fly away from Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Danilo Di Luca (LPR). Only Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & sapone) could follow the pace and in companionship they rapidly reached the scattered pieces of the front group, whose gap quickly diminished.
At the front Team Saxo Bank's Lars Bak dropped back when Leonardo Bertogliati (Serramenti) liberated him self from the front group. The Danish national TT champion found a good rhythm and tried to catch the Italian in front of him but it was all in vain as a small group came up from behind. Lars Bak was fourth on the stage.