36-year-old Alessandro Petacchi, took his first stage win at the Tour de France in seven years in Brussels today. The rider from La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast was the world's best sprinter seven years ago, but a questionable suspension, injury, and a stint with LPR saw the former top sprinter take a long hiatus from the Tour.
In the time since Petacchi's last Tour de France stage win, the map of the top sprinters has changed significantly, and now, with his victory today, Ale-Jet was a distinct underdog. Many thought it was a surprise or another victory akin to his win at the Tour de Suisse when all the favorites crashed in sight of the line, but Petacchi isn't of that mindset.
"I really did a great sprint, and quite frankly, I'm not at all sure that Cavendish could have beaten me today, because I was very, very quick."
Eyebrows were raised following his victory and many could be forgiven for calling his win a surprise. For Petacchi, however, it was anything but: "For you maybe, but not for me. This is not an upset, because I came here to sprint and win."
To call Petacchi confident following his win would be an understatement. He wants more stages, and he wants to sprint against the best, namely those that missed today's finish due to the crashes: Cavendish, Freire, Farrar, et al.
"Now, I hope that another situation presents itself with all the other sprinters. I'm sure I could win even without all those falls. I took a risk today by starting the sprint from far away, but it is a sign of confidence. That means I'm fast. It's a very good sign."
In his moment of glory following his win, Petacchi took a look back at the winding road that finally brought him back to the Tour de France.
"This morning, I was initially quite nervous, but during the day, I started to revive as a Tour rider. I am relaxed. For different reasons, but choice, because of my suspension or injury, I could not get back here. I really want to dedicate this victory to my family and also to Giuseppe Saronni. In Lampre, I have been trusted, and I won't forget that."
Petacchi's Lampre team was impressive at the front in the latter moments. Petacchi was protected and solid throughout. Petacchi gave the credit to his teammates for their support and noted that he was feeling great following yesterday's solid prologue performance.
"I'm back at the Tour de France, and immediately I won a stage: life is perfect! I want to thank my teammates who performed an outstanding stage in my support. I knew I was good, because yesterday, I had good feelings in the prologue, so I decided to start the sprint early despite the win."
When asked about the dangerous nature of the sprints at the Tour de France, Petacchi had a lot to say: "The danger does not please me, and not to exaggerate, but sprints like that are quite dangerous. I'm not good at the duels, I do not like to brush against my opponents. I've never done wrong. I've lost many time because I was the first to stop when there was a fight. At home, my Mamma Gaudilla turns off the tv in the last kilometers, and then turns it on again after the sprint. She's afraid like me."
Alessandro Petacchi will start tomorrow's Stage 2 with the Green Jersey. He stands at 35 points, 5 clear of HTC-Columbia's Mark Renshaw. Of course, the first question on anyone's mind for a sprinter who is currently wearing the Green Jersey is - what does he think about his chances of taking it to Paris?
"I'm not thinking about the Green Jersey right now. This is a fight where you have to evaluate your chances everyday, and the Tour takes too long to worry about something like that. One thing is certain, and that is that I am first to have taken top honors, and Monday I will ride to Spa in the Green Jersey."