Bennati wins Giro's 3rd stage

The Associated Press
Published: May 12, 2008

MILAZZO, Sicily: Daniele Bennati won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia on Monday in a massive sprint finish, and Liquigas teammate Franco Pellizotti held onto the overall lead.

Bennati avoided several crashes in the 137-mile leg from Catania to Milazzo to finish in 5 hours, 37 minutes, 1 second. Erik Zabel was second, followed by Danilo Hondo.

"I've won at the Tour (de France) and the (Spanish) Vuelta, but never at the Giro, so this is special," Bennati said.

Pellizotti arrived with the main group of riders in the same time. He leads with an overall time of 11 hours, 52 minutes, 17 seconds.

The crashes were caused by a light rain fell part of the day. One involved about 30 cyclists including Riccardo Ricco, winner of Sunday's stage and a pre-race favorite. He was expected to go to the hospital for X-rays on his hand.

"It's probably broken, we'll see," Ricco said. "This course was too dangerous."

Bradley McGee pulled out of the race after breaking his collarbone in a separate crash. He had been eighth in the overall standings going into Monday's leg.

American David Zabriskie pulled out after a crash Sunday.

The Giro returns to the mainland Tuesday with a 114-mile course from Pizzo Calabro to Catanzaro Lungomare.

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