Last Saturday, the final stage of the Giro d’Italia, Italy’s most important and one of the world’s top cycling competitions, declared Paolo Savoldelli as winner of the gruelling race. The last stage, which ended after 119 km on the central streets of Milan, was watched by a record number of viewers: 41% of all television watchers were tuned to the 88th Giro d’Italia. The winner of the 20th stage was actually Alessandro Petacchi, but overall best time was awarded to Salvodelli. He was accompanied to the podium by Gilberto Simoni and Venezuelan Josè Rujano who placed second and third, respectively, in overall time.
Savoldelli, who was captain of the Discovery Channel Team, also won the race in 2002.
