SAN VENDEMIANO, Italy, 25 May 2004 — Alessandro Petacchi of Italy made history yesterday, becoming the first post-war rider to win eight stages in one edition of the Giro d’Italia.

Petacchi beat Robbie McEwen of Australia and Olaf Pollack of Germany with his trademark surge in the final 300 meters to win the 15th stage in the northern Italian town of San Vendemiano.

He has now surpassed the record of seven stage wins in one Giro set by Belgian riders Roger De Vlaemenick and Freddy Maertens in 1975 and 1977 respectively, and by Italian Giuseppe Saronni in 1980.

Alfredo Binda and Learco Guerra of Italy won more stages in the thirties but then cycling was almost an extreme sport, raced on dirt roads with smaller fields.

“It’s an honor to have won eight stages in the Giro and to have set a new record,” Petacchi said.

Petacchi’s feat follows on from last year when he won 30 sprints, including six at the Giro d’Italia, four at the Tour de France and five at the Vuelta Espana.

Yaroslav Popovych of the Ukraine finished in 32nd place in the same time as Petacchi and so retained his overall leadership of the Giro.

The Landbouwkrediet rider leads compatriot Serhiy Honchar by three seconds and Australia’s Bradley McGee by 1:02.

Today’s 217-km 16th stage from San Vandemiano to Falzes in the Dolomites is the first mountain stage of the 2004 Giro with four major climbs.