May 24, 2004 – Today’s stage from Brunico to Fondo Sarnonico produced a
surprise winner in Vini Caldirola’s Pavel Tonkov. The 36-year-old former
Giro champion attacked on the Passo della Mendola climb with 60km left in
the 153km stage. Quickly bridging to escapee Allesandro Bertolini of
Alessio-Bianchi, the duo worked together over the next forty kilometers,
solidifying their lead. With twenty kilometers to go Tonkov accelerated
again to drop Bertolini and solo in with a 2:15 advantage. In third was
FDJeux’s sprinter Brad Mcgee over race leader Damiano Cunego of Saeco in
fourth. The general classification remained essentially unchanged, save for
Guliano Figueras of Panaria who slipped from fifth overall after succumbing
to stomach problems finishing 13:53 down on the stage.

Results

1. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie, 3.40.05 (41.711 km/h)

2. Alessandro Bertolini (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi, 2.15

3. Bradley McGee (Aus) FDJeux.com, 2.49

4. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco

5. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi

6. Ruggero Marzoli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo

7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie

8. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago

9. Emanuele Sella (Ita) Ceramiche Panaria-Margres

10. Ruben Lobato Elvira (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir

General classification after stage 17

1. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco, 76.44.15

2. Serguei Gonchar (Ukr) De Nardi, 1.14

3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, 2.22

4. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco, 2.38

5. Bradley McGee (Aus) FDJeux.com, 4.04

6. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Lampre, 4.20

7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie, 4.26

8. Dario David Cioni (Ita) Fassa Bortolo, 4.31

9. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi, 5.31

10. Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Phonak Hearing Systems, 5.40

11. Andrea Noe’ (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi, 5.55

12. Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) Lampre, 6.01

13. Christophe Brandt (Bel) Lotto-Domo, 6.24

14. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie, 6.38

15. Emanuele Sella (Ita) Ceramiche Panaria-Margres, 7.45