Italian Alberto Loddo (Androni-Giocattoli) won the seventh and final stage of the Tour de San Luis today in a sprint finish over compatriot Danilo Napolitano (Katusha) and Spaniard Francisco Pacheco (Xacobeo-Galicia), who finished second and third respectively.
As expected, there was no change in general classification on the 167 kilometer stage, which left the victory to Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) by 28 seconds over Colombian Jose Serpa (Androni-Giocattoli), with 22-year-old Rafael Valls a further 51 seconds in arrears.
Gianni Savio’s Androni-Giocattoli team put in a strong performance this week by winning four of the last five stages. Today’s winner Loddo also took the sprint in stage 3, and Jackson Rodríguez and Luis Maté won stages 5 and 6.
Santiago Botero (Colombia) finished in 5th place 2’15 off the pace in what will be his last participation. He announced yesterday that he plans to retire in July after the Tour of Colombia. Michael Rasmussen (Miche) finished in 8th place 2’16” behind Nibali.
This marks the first time an Argentinean has not won the race, with two European-based riders dominating the podium.
Stage 6 results:
1. Loddo, Alberto ITA (Androni-GIOCATTOLI) in 3:44:46
2. NAPOLITANO, Danilo ITA (Katusha)
3. PACHECO, Francisco ESP (GALICIA XACOBEO)
4. PAGLIARINI, Luciano A. BRA (Scott-Marcondes)
5. MATA, Enrique ESP (FOOTON-SERVETTO-FUJI)
6. CELIS, Vidal ESP (FOOTON-SERVETTO-FUJI)
7. ROLDAN, Weimar COL (Columbia)
8. MIRANDA, Gonzalo CHI (Chile)
9. Mansilla, Luis CHI (Chile)
10. ALZATE, Carlos COL (Columbia)
11. Borrajo, Anibal ARG (JAMIS-SUTTER HOME)
12. CHICCHI, Francesco ITA (Liquigas-DOIMO)
Final Overall Classification:
1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA / LIQ-Doimo) – 25:44:47.
2. Jose Rodolfo Serpa (COL /Androni-Giocattoli) at 0:28.
3. Rafael Valls Ferri (Spain / Footon-Mobile Team) at 1:19.
4. Andres Ignacio Pereyra (ARG / Argentina National Team) at 1:37.
5. Santiago Botero (COL / Colavita-Sutter Home) at 2:15.
6. Jackson Rodriguez (VEN /Androni-Giocattoli) – st
7. Giacinti Jorge (ARG / Scott) – st
8. Michael Rasmussen (DEN / Miche-Silver Cross) at 2:16
9. Arnold Alcolea (CUB / Team Cuba) 2:37.
10. Carlos José Ochoa (VEN /Androni-Giocattoli) at 3:45.