Do not weep for Petacchi. He will win his share of stages. In the face of challenges from other teams, however, he will need to work harder.

In the overall, McEwen leads Bettini by 0:08 and Petacchi by 0:22. Stage 3 will change matters. The hilly, 210-km stage from Diamante to Giffoni Valle Piana will feature a climb six km from the finish that should break up the field. Who will win? Bettini? Damiano Cunego (Saeco)? Ivan Basso (CSC)? Check in at Roadcycling.com and find out!