May 22, 2004 – A 52 km individual time trial was raced from AltoPiano to
Carsico today at the Giro d’Italia. Battling through rainy windy
conditions, the men who will certainly lose time in the high mountains next
week, are anxious to gain time. The young Ukranian Popovych the revelation
of the 2003 Giro has proven his mettle with a third place ride today taking
nearly two minutes out of leaders Cenego and Simoni of team Saeco.

Time trial specialist Serguei Gontchar of the Ukraine won the stage over
prologue specialist Brad McGee (FDJeex). Race favorite Gilberto Simoni
fell heavily on the stage resulting in a torn skinsuit, and many abrasions,
but still managed to stay within striking destance some 1:27 back in the
general classification. Teammate Cenego also pulled off a respectable ride
to maintain a top five overall.

Stage 13 Results:

1. Serguei Gontchar (Ukr) De Nardi, 1.06.45

2. Brad McGee (Aus) FDJeux.com, 0.18

3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, 0.34

4. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Fassa Bortolo, 0.44

5. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi) Saunier Duval-Prodir, 1.32

General Classification (After Stage 13):

1. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, 56.39.40

2. Serguei Gontchar (Ukr) De Nardi, 0.03

3. Brad McGee (Aus) FDJeux.com, 1.02

4. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco, 1.27

5. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi, 1.32

6. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco, 1.48