Alessandro Petacchi finds himself under the microscope again

(Photo: Chris Henry)

Petacchi Under Investigation in Italy

Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi did not know he was being investigated for alleged doping practices prior to racing the Tour de France, the rider's lawyer said on Tuesday. Petacchi, who is currently second in the race's green jersey points competition, is reportedly being investigated in Italy for using illegal drugs prior to the event.

Petacchi's lawyer Virginio Angelini said in a statement issued through his Lampre team here that the Italian sprint star only learned of the probe on July 12. As a result, Petacchi has been called to a hearing by the Padova prosecutor, but Angelini denied Petacchi knew of the summons before the start of the race.

"The Padova prosecutor invited M. Petacchi on July 12 (and not before the start of the Tour de France as has been claimed in error) to appear at a hearing after the Tour de France to answer questions which are related, and not to the current season," said Angelini.

On Tuesday the ANSA news agency, quoting informed sources, alleged that two banned substances were found at the Lampre rider's home - PFC (Perfluorocarbon), an alternative to the banned blood booster EPO, and human serum albumin. According to ANSA the inquiry began before Petacchi lined up for the start of this year's Tour, in which he has won two stages. The affair is said to centre on two former teammates as well as two other amateur riders.

Petacchi, one of the most successful sprinters of his generation, was suspended for a year after the 2007 Tour of Italy for testing positive for excessive levels of the asthma drug salbutamol.

Italian outfit Lampre, who learned of the summons through the media, said they would support Petacchi while awaiting "further details". Angelini said Petacchi is "ready to clarify the situation and to supply all the necessary evidence to show that he has nothing to do with this affair."

Prior to the start of stage 16, after which he lost the green jersey to Norwegian rival Thor Hushovd, Petacchi said he had nothing to hide but would speak to prosecutors as soon as the race finishes.

"We can't have a minute's peace, there's always something going on," said the Italian, who was subject of an investigation three years ago which led to a one-year ban. "Nobody told me anything about this investigation, maybe to leave me in peace on the Tour. But I will attend the hearing on July 28 as soon as I get back."

"If they had found anything suspect at my house, then I wouldn't be racing here," he added.

Thor zips up another green jersey

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Hushovd Back in Green

Norwegian Thor Hushovd thanked his Cervélo teammates for helping pace him over some tough Pyrenean climbs Tuesday on his way to regaining possession of the coveted Tour de France green jersey. Hushovd started the 199.5km 16th stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Pau, the third of four days in the Pyrenees, with a two-point deficit to Italian rival Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre.

And despite failing in several attempts to join a nine-man breakaway that went on to finish nearly seven minutes ahead of the main peloton, Hushovd hung on to contend the sprint points still remaining at the finish. Hushovd, a two-time green jersey winner, was the first of a 49-man group to cross over the line 6:45 behind stage winner Pierrick Fedrigo of France, thus picking up six points for his 10th place.

Petacchi, who has won two stages this year, struggled from the start of the stage which began almost immediately with the 11km climb to the summit of the Col de Peyresourde. In the end the Lampre rider was left battling to stay within the time limits with the sprinters and other non-climbers among an 84-strong grupetto, which finished 34 minutes in arrears.

Hushovd now has a four-point lead on the Italian, but he still believes their points classification duel will go all the way to the Champs Elysées in Paris on Sunday.

"It was an important day," said Hushovd. "I knew it was a good chance to try to get some more points and the team did a great job helping me get over the climbs."

"With the breakaway up the road, we knew there were some points waiting at the finish line," he explained. "It's important to take as many as you can whenever you have the opportunity."

Britain's Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia), the winner of three stages, is third overall on 162 points and still mathematically in contention. However, Hushovd said he will pay more attention to Petacchi.

"Petacchi is my most dangerous rival but I'm feeling better as the Tour goes on," Hushovd added. "I think I have a good chance to win another stage. I would love to win on the Champs-Elysées. The green jersey always comes down to who is the strongest rider over three weeks."

Jens Voigt crashed hard but remained determined to carry on

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Voigt Down But Not Out

Saxo Bank's Jens Voigt shrugged off the pain of more crash injuries on the Tour de France 16th stage on Tuesday, in a bid to help team-mate Andy Schleck win the race's yellow jersey. Voigt, one of the Danish team's most powerful riders, was hurtling down the descent of the Col de Peyresourde, the first of four mountain passes, when he suffered a puncture and crashed at top speed.

The German managed to avoid a repeat of the horrific injuries he suffered during last year's race when he landed on his face and head at top speed, also on a descent.

After waving away the help of race assistants in the broom wagon, Voigt battled on to finish the stage with the grupetto, the group of sprinters and non-climbers who club together in a bid to beat the time cut-off.

"I'm doing 70 kilometres an hour on the first descent when my front tire explodes," explained Voigt. "Before I hit the asphalt I actually manage to think that this is going to hurt. Both knees, elbows, hands, shoulders and the entire left side of my body were severely hurt."

"My ribs are hurting but hey, broken ribs are overrated anyway," he joked. "Fortunately, I didn't land on my face this time and I'm still alive. I was offered a ride on the truck that picks up abandoned riders but I'm not going to quit another Tour de France. Now there's a rest day and Paris is not that far away."

Hesjedal Hangs Tough

Garmin-Transitions' de facto man for the general classification, Ryder Hesjedal, continued to hang tough and hold his position in the standings after another tough day in the mountains Tuesday. On the eve of the Tour's second rest day in Pau, Hesjedal sits in 10th place overall, less than eight minutes down on race leader Alberto Contador.

"We came into the day knowing we were going to work to preserve my GC position and that’s exactly what we did," Hesjedal commented after Tuesday's stage. "David Zabriskie was great; he was with me all day and rode the front to help bring the gap back."

"I’m really proud of our team," Hesjedal added, referring to the difficulties his team has faced since the opening week of racing. "I know there’s a lot of racing still to come but we’re going to keep working hard and taking it day by day."

For Zabriskie, a top-ten position for a man who was not the originally designated team leader is surely something to be proud of.

"Our goal for today was to protect Ryder’s GC position, so I worked to bring the gap down for the last 40km," Zabriskie explained. "Omega Pharma-Lotto and Rabobank were working too. There’s no such thing as an easy day at the Tour de France, and today was no exception, but we did what we set out to do."

"I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s rest day and I’m happy Paris is in sight."