Petacchi follows in the footsteps of Franco Bitossi….42 years later.
Alessandro Petacchi finally accomplished the trifecta of points jerseys at all three Grand Tours with his 2nd place on the Champs Elysees today. Coming in second behind Cavendish was more than enough to defend his lead in the points classification, and with that triumph, he can now lay claim to the points jerseys at the Giro in 2004 and 2007, the Vuelta in 2005, and now the Tour de France in 2010.
While the Maillot Vert was a huge accomplishment for Petacchi, he can now etch his name deeper in the Italian record books. His success in Paris makes him only the second Italian winner of the Green Jersey in the history of the Tour de France. The first and heretofore only green triumph for Italy was on the back of Franco Bitossi in 1968.
Petacchi was aware of his achievement, but humble next to the long shadow of Bitossi: “I’ve known Franco for years, and it is an honor for me to collect this inheritance. He was a great champion. I’m just a rider that has always worked hard and done my utmost to succeed, and I think this jersey is another great success in my career.”
The sprinter from La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast was emotional as he stood there on the podium bathed in green.
“This jersey is a great thrill for me, because I came here hoping only for a stage win, not this jersey…This is a dream to be able to experience this in my 36th year. I have worked so hard for it, even on the final day it was a great battle. I have to thank my teammates for their help.”
The 36-year-old managed to hold off a five stage winning Mark Cavendish by 11 points, 243-232. Thor Hushovd, who had pushed Petacchi for most of the race in the points standings, drifted even further back – he ended the race a distant 21 points in arrears of the prolific Italian.
“It is an outstanding result and along with my two stage wins, has made this an unforgettable Tour de France. The Green Jersey is the best because it credits consistent performances and results. I gave my best all the time, and the team was perfect, so the victories and results came as a result of their hard work as well.”
The former Milan-Sanremo winner admits that the Green Jersey was not on his to do list heading into the start of the Tour de France in Rotterdam, but his consistent showings allowed for the unexpected tunic.
“At the beginning of the Tour, the points competition was not a goal, but stage by stage I realized that I could be competitive, and now I am very glad that I decided to fight for this. A special thanks goes out to my team and sponsors: they have always helped, especially in the hard times.”
For a rider like Petacchi, who has suffered through many hardships over the past few years both in his health and with the fallout related to his health (a suspension related to his use of an inhaler), it’s hard not to look back at what he has overcome, and now, considering the newest investigation looming for Petacchi, what’s still to come.
“Since 2006, when I broke my knee, I’ve faced a series of difficulties. This Tour has been very tough, but I am convinced that this too will pass [referring to the investigation in Padua – AleJet will meet the prosecutor on Wednesday] with the help of my family and all those that have always remained by my side. I am sad that my son, Alessandro, could not be here today, but I do have something with me of his: his first pair of shoes.”
Ahead of the Tour de France, very few would have guessed that it would be Alessandro Petacchi in Green in Paris. Petacchi’s two stage wins and the points classification were certainly one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Tour de France. What will be next for Petacchi? If Petacchi can make it out of this latest doping investigation in one piece, the Vuelta, Worlds, and Paris-Tours are all possibilities. The biggest question now is just how dire is the new investigation?