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Ricco takes Giro d'Italia stage 15

Italy's Riccardo Ricco pushes away a spectator as he pedals with teammate Leonardo Piepoli, second left, during the 15th stage of the Giro d' Italia, from Trento to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, northern Italy, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Riccardo Ricco won the grueling 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday, while Danilo Di Luca retained the overall lead.

Ricco and Saunier Duval teammate Leonardo Piepoli attacked on the day's first climb and maintained their lead to the finish.

Ricco covered the 184km leg from Trento to Tre Cime di Lavaredo -- including four major climbs -- in a time of five hours, 47 minutes, 22 seconds.

Piepoli was second and Ivan Ramiro Parra Pinto of Colombia was third, 10 seconds behind.

"Thanks to [Saunier Duval captain Gilberto] Simoni, who told us to try and attack," Ricco said. "Piepoli and I rode really hard."

Helped by Astana teammate Paolo Savoldelli, Eddy Mazzoleni attacked on the second downhill section and finished fifth, 1:29 behind. Di Luca crossed sixth at a gap of 2:53.

Mazzoleni moved up from ninth to second overall, 1:51 behind Di Luca.

Andy Schleck remained third overall, 2:56 back, with former Giro winners Simoni and Damiano Cunego fourth and fifth overall -- both more than three minutes behind. Ricco is sixth overall, 3:39 back.

Mazzoleni led Di Luca by as much as three minutes before the final climb, and Di Luca did well to reduce the gap on the uphill finish.

"Today I did something pretty great," Di Luca said. "I knew the final 4km of the climb would be decisive, and that's how it turned out. Now I'll wait for the Zoncolan for the final blow."

Yesterday was a rest day. Stage 16 today is a 189km leg from Agordo to Lienz, Austria. Tomorrow's stage concludes with a tortuous climb to Monte Zoncolan.
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