Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Italian cycling took a blow when Ivan Basso was not allowed to start the Tour de France. Since then it has been numerous second places by Lampre riders such as Commesso, Bennati, Ballan and Cunego. The traditionally strong country could not get a win. Matteo Tossato today finally got the win for Italy ahead of Christian Moreni and a pursing Manuel Quinzato. The tifosi can rest knowing that Italy will not be shut out of this Tour de France.

Tosatto also got a stage win for Quick Step, who were left without star Tom Boonen as the race hit the Alps. Tosatto was part of Petacchi’s Fassa Bortolo team last year and now moved to Quick Step to provide the same service to Boonen. Tosatto wanted to impress his new employers.

“It’s my first year at QuickStep and it’s pretty important to win here. You are not really a pro until you win a stage on the Tour.”