Petacchi looks to set Giro stage record

Yahoo! Sport | Petacchi in seventh heaven after equalling Giro record

If he wants to win, nobody is stopping Alessandro Petacchi. He's won half the stages in this year's Giro d'Italia, with a week still to ride. That equals the modern record of 7 stage wins shared by Freddy Maertens, Roger De Vlaeminck, and Beppe Saronni. Back in the stone age, Alfredo Binda won 12 stages in 1927. Asked how many stages in total he thought he could win, Petacchi said he likes the profile of two more stages:

"There are still two stages left where sprints are possible, this Monday and next Sunday. But the next stage is long and the team is starting to feel the effects of working for me so much.

"Plus, the mountains are just around the corner and we have to think about saving some energy."

Petacchi added: "Seven victories - it hasn't quite sunk in. To equal Saronni is just unbelievable. He was on[e] of my idols."

Yaroslav Popovych of the Ukraine will spend at least today in the pink jersey, as he holds the overall lead by 3 seconds over Serhiy Honchar, with Bradley McGee of Australia 1:02 back, and 2-time defending Giro champion Gilberto Simoni looming 1:27 back. The last week is mostly one for the climbers, where Simoni has traditionally excelled. Also: VeloNews | Seven