Di Luca defies climbing specialists to stay in pink

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

AURONZO, Italy (AFP) — Versatile Italian Danilo Di Luca beat some of the world's best climbers to extend his race lead after a thrilling 15th stage of the Tour of Italy here Sunday.

Italian Riccardo Ricco won the monumental stage in the Dolomite mountains after being prodded over the finish line by his Saunier Duval team-mate Leonardo Piepoli.

Both men had been part of a four-man group which attacked Di Luca's group earlier in the race, and they managed to stay at the front unchallenged as the real battle for the pink jersey took place in their wake.

Behind them, Astana's Eddy Mazzeloni had also attacked Di Luca's group, which contained race contenders Gilberto Simoni, Damiano Cunego and Andy Schleck, around 30km from the finish.

At one point the...