Fred Rodriguez won the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia for the Acqua and Sapone team in a close sprint finish. The American denied Alessandro Petacchi a fifth stage win, with Angelo Furlan also in the frame in the 140-kilometre leg from Policoro to Carovigno.
Italian Damiano Cunego retained his overall race lead of 10 seconds over compatriot Gilberto Simoni with Franco Pellizotti in third, 28 seconds back.
Tuesday will be the first rest day of the race before it resumes in Pescara.
Stage nine result:
1. Fred Rodriguez (U.S.) Acqua & Sapone - 4:04.38
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Italy) Fassa Bortolo
3. Angelo Furlan (Italy) Alessio-Banchi
4. Robbie McEwen (Australia) Lotto-Domo
5. Jan Svorada (Czech Republic) Lampre
6. Andris Nauduzs (Latvia) Domina Vacanza
7. Marco Zanotti (Italy) Vini Caldirola
8. Robert Forster (Germany) Gerolsteiner
9. Simone Cadamuro (Italy) De Nardi
10. Alexandre Usov (Belarus) Phonak - all same time
Overall standings:
1. Damiano Cunego (Italy) Saeco - 41:59.15
2. Gilberto Simoni (Italy) Saeco at 10 seconds
3. Franco Pellizotti (Italy) Alessio-Bianchi at 28 secs
4. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukraine) Landbouwkrediet at 31 secs
5. Giuliano Figueras (Italy) Ceramiche Panaria at 52 secs
6. Serguei Gontchar (Ukraine) De Nardi at 1:08
7. Dario David Cioni (Italy) Fassa Bortolo at 1:10
8. Stefano Garzelli (Italy) Vini Caldirola at 1:15
9. Andrea Noe' (Italy) Alessio-Bianchi at 1:17
10. Eddy Mazzoleni (Italy) Saeco at 1.29
MMIX
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